After playing two scrimmages, Irvine Valley's women's flag football team officially opened up its 2025 season with a 31-13 victory over Saddleback at home on Wednesday.
It was a close game early, but Irvine Valley pulled away in the second half to take the victory.
Irvine Valley freshman quarterback Akayla Chaple went 25 of 38 passing with five touchdowns. Freshmen Natalie Sterling and Allison Faggella also caught two scores apiece.
Sterling nabbed the first two touchdowns from Chaple to give Irvine Valley an early lead.
Chaple found Sterling on a 10-yard pass to give Irvine Valley a 6-0 lead with 9:50 left in the second quarter.
Irvine Valley went ahead, 12-0, when Chaple found Sterling right before the end of the half for a 17-yard touchdown pass.
Saddleback came back with a touchdown and extra point in the third quarter to cut the lead to 12-7.
But Irvine Valley took the lead for good with a touchdown pass from Chaple to freshman wideout Chase Dionio.
The score and then extra point throw from Chaple to freshman Crystal Cervantes made it a 19-7 game.
Irvine Valley also had big plays on defense throughout, including intercepting four passes.
Dionio had two picks and Sterling and Faggella also had interceptions in the game for the Lasers.
IVC closed out the game with two touchdowns by Faggella from Chaple, including a 36-yard touchdown throw with 10:49 left in the game.
The Lasers next play in the Cal Lutheran University tournament on Mar. 28-29.
IVC is scheduled to play in six games over the two days in the event.
Irvine Valley will then travel to Saddleback to play on Friday, Apr. 4 at 4 p.m.
