The Irvine Valley women's soccer team picked up its third win in Orange Empire Conference play with a tough victory over Santa Ana on Tuesday at home.
The Lasers scored the first two goals of the game and had plenty of chances for more, but still held on for a 2-1 triumph.
Sophomore midfielder Natalia Guzman scored both goals for the Lasers. They were her fourth and fifth scores of the season.
Guzman moved to seventh in the conference in goals this year.
And Irvine Valley improved its record to 4-8-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the OEC. The Lasers are tied with Orange Coast for fourth in the conference standings.
Santa Ana's record slipped to 1-9-0 overall and 0-5-0 overall.
The first half on Tuesday was scoreless, but the Lasers had several chances to scorein the opening 45 minutes, including in the first 30 seconds when freshman forward Andrea Goana intercepted a pass and had a close shot on goal that was saved by Santa Ana's Valerie Ibarra.
Irvine Valley's other really good chance in the first half came from freshman defender Faith Hong, who clipped a ball over the goal from close range.
But the Lasers regrouped and came out firing in the second half. In the 51st minute Guzman found the back of the net off of a long free kick from freshman defender Sheida Suazo to put IVC up,1-0.
Three more shots, including two on goal followed before the Lasers scored again.
Sophomore defender Carlene Nhu pushed the ball into the box and was taken down. A penalty kick followed and Guzman sent the ball into the upper right corner to give IVC a 2-0 lead.
Irvine Valley continued to push forward, but couldn't find a third goal.
And in the 89th minute, Santa Ana made things interesting when Natalie Flores scored on the back post off of a free kick from Samantha Diaz.
The Lasers were able to hold on for the win.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday at Saddleback at 3 p.m.
