The Irvine Valley men's soccer team started its 2013 season with a 0-0 draw at Glendale Tuesday night.
The Lasers controlled the action and had numerous chances to score, but couldn't find the back of the net and had to settle for the tie.
"I thought we played really well," Irvine Valley Coach Martin McGrogan said. "We possessed the ball well. Maybe we were a little elaborate at times, but we had three or four very good chances to score in the game."
McGrogan said that freshman midfielder Israel Reyes had the best chance and that sophomore midfielder Robert Andrade, freshman midfielder Jose Alvarez and freshman forwards Bogarth Avalos and Alejandro Velazquez also created opportunities.
On the other end, the defensive unit, which was keyed by freshmen Bertin Pablo and Cesar Ortiz and sophomore Andres Valentin limited any opportunity Glendale had to score.
"I thought Bertin was good on both ends of the field and was very busy all night for us," McGrogan said. "We played a very physical Glendale team and more than held our own."
Irvine Valley could face even tougher competition this weekend. The Lasers compete in the Hartnell Tournament starting Friday.
IVC opens against Fresno on Friday at 5 p.m.
Fresno is ranked 17th in the nation at the community college level by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Also in the tournament are Rio Hondo, Hartnell, Cerritos, San Francisco, Allan Hancock and American River.
San Francisco is ranked sixth in the country and Hartnell is 20th. San Francisco was the state runner-up to Mt. San Antonio last season and was ranked No. 2 in the state in the final 2012 poll. Cerritos was ranked fifth and Fresno was ranked ninth in last year's state poll.
"It is always a very good tournament," McGrogan said. "It lets us see where we are at early in the season against some real good competition."
Irvine Valley returns several players from its 2012 team, including a few key starters such as defenders Josh Davis and Valentin, midfielders Daniel Totays and Jonathan Romero and forwards Joe Rousseau and Abraham Montano.
Rousseau led Irvine Valley with five goals and 12 points a year ago. Romero finished with two goals and two assists for six points and Montano had five points on two goals and one assist.
The Lasers will be trying to improve on their overall record of 7-12-2 in 2012.
"We have the makings of a good team," McGrogan said. "The key is to stay healthy and to continue to work hard. I like what I've seen so far. It is a very good bunch of kids."
