The Irvine Valley men's soccer team looked to be headed to overtime for the third straight Southern California Regional Playoff match on Saturday at home.
IVC had won its previous two playoff contests in overtime.
But Mt. San Antonio's Daniel Huizar took a pass from Michael Flores near the top of the box and found the back of the net on a shot to the lower right corner. The goal in the 87th minute proved to be the difference in a 2-1 win for the Mounties over Irvine Valley in the third round of the regional playoffs.
With the win, Mt. SAC, seeded No. 8 in the regionals, moved on to the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships final four next weekend at DeAnza.
Fourth-seeded Irvine Valley saw its special 2015 season, which included the fourth conference title in program history, coach Martin McGrogan's 300th victory and a 16-match unbeaten streak until Saturday, end with a record of 16-3-5 overall.
Irvine Valley's last loss in a match came in late September.
"We worked hard and were right there," McGrogan said. "But give full credit to Mt. SAC. There is no shame in getting beat by a team like that."
Mt. SAC (16-5-3 overall) started the scoring in the 11th minute when Rolando Munoz scored on a left-footed free kick from about 25 yards out. His line drive shot took a tough bounce near the goal and went in.
The Mounties had a couple of other good chances in the first half. Michael Flores hit the post with a shot in the 33rd minute and then Manuel Medina looked as he had an open goal on a cross in the 36th minute, but IVC sophomore goalie Manuel Zamora came flying to the near post at the last second to deflect the ball away.
Mt. SAC led, 1-0, at the half.
Irvine Valley picked up its intensity in the second half. Laser freshman forward Toby Waterman nearly scored in the 50th minute, but his shot from inside the box went over the crossbar.
Waterman came back and leveled the match in the 67th minute. Freshman midfielder Jose Gamboa stole the ball on the left side and then carried it down the wing. He crossed to Waterman, who got in behind a Mt. SAC defender and then beat goalie Andy Gutierrez with a shot. It was Waterman's team-leading 19th goal and Gamboa's team-leading 10th assist of the season.
Irvine Valley continued to pressure with Waterman, freshman forward Connor Elder, freshman midfielder Jose Rivera and freshman midfielder Sebastian Piema going forward.
But it was Mt. SAC that was able to later get the winning goal from Huizar after Flores battled for the ball and came away with it on the left side.
"We kept pushing all of the way and I thought that when we equalized at 1-1, the game turned in our favor for a bit, McGrogan said. "But we just didn't have enough today to pull through in the end. It's been a great season and I am very proud of the boys and their effort."
