Irvine Valley's men's soccer team played well in its home opener Tuesday afternoon against Moorpark, but the Lasers had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
In an odd start to the season, it was Irvine Valley's fifth straight draw to begin 2013.
"It is something I haven't seen before," IVC Coach Martin McGrogan said of all of the tie contests. "We have been playing well. I think with a little bit of luck we would have had some even better results."
IVC did hand Moorpark its first non-win of the season. The Raiders had earned victories at Palomar and Cypress last week. Palomar saw its record move to 2-0-1.
The first half on Tuesday was nearly even with both teams having three shots on goal.
In the second half, IVC picked up the pace on the offensive end.
Maybe the team's best chance of the match came in the opening minutes of the half when freshman forward Elam Nabi just missed wide on a volley in the box.
Later in the half, sophomore Joe Rousseau nearly scored on a lofting tough-angle shot from the right side of the field. His shot cleared the keeper, but bounced off the far post.
"We didn't play our best in the first half, but I thought in the second half we had the better of the chances," McGrogan said.
IVC's defense was solid all match.
The Lasers held Moorpark to just one shot in the second half.
Among the key defenders were sophomore Josh Davis, freshman Cesar Ortiz, freshman Riccardo Antonelli and sophomore Luis Calderon.
Irvine Valley has a bit of break in action now. The Lasers don't play again until Sept. 24 when they travel to Long Beach City for a non-conference contest.
