Irvine Valley's men's soccer team played Cypress tough in its Orange Empire Conference opener Tuesday afternoon on the road.
But Cypress scored the final goal of the match to post a 3-2 win.
Irvine Valley had pulled into a tie at 2-2 after finding the back of the net twice within a five-minute span in the second half.
"The boys showed a lot of character in coming back to tie the score," IVC coach Martin McGrogan said. "It was a bit disappointing to give it away in the end."
Cypress struck early, scoring in the eighth minute on a goal by Shawn Hansen.
The Chargers then extended their lead to 2-0 in the 41st minute on a goal by Aaren Lewis.
Cypress held the two-goal lead going into halftime.
Irvine Valley battled back and tied the score midway through the second half. In the 66th minute, freshman forward Sean Goode found the back of the net off an assist from sophomore midfielder Fernando Arroyo.
Then in the 71st minute, Goode fed freshman forward Alexis Plata for a goal to even the score at 2-2.
But a goal by Lewis with just six minutes to play turned out to be the game-winner for Cypress.
Irvine Valley out-shot Cypress for the game. Cypress keeper Braydon Welch had to make nine saves.
IVC freshman goalie Elias Licea made five saves.
Cypress stayed unbeaten on the season and improved its record to 6-0-2 overall and 1-0-0 in conference. IVC dropped to 1-4-3 overall and 0-1-0 in conference.
After two straight road matches, IVC is back at home on Friday, hosting Norco in a conference match at 3 p.m.
