Irvine Valley's men's soccer team finished up nonconference play with a tough 3-2 loss at Rio Hondo on Tuesday afternoon in Whittier.
The Lasers tied the match midway through the second half, but Rio Hondo earned the victory after a goal by Jesus Garcia in the 75th minute.
Garcia ended up scoring all three goals for the Roadrunners in the contest.
The defeat snapped a two-match win streak for IVC, which was ranked No. 6 in the state this week. IVC's record moved to 4-2-0 overall.
Rio Hondo (3-1-2) is now unbeaten in its last four matches.
Irvine Valley moved in front early, getting a goal from sophomore forward Connor Elder in the first minute off a free kick.
But Garcia responded as he tied up the contest with his goal in the 15th minute off the assist from Nicholas Knapp. Garcia put Rio Hondo in front in the 41st minute with a goal off the pass from Jefferson Cluggy-Soto just before the end of the first half.
Irvine Valley got the equalizer in the 70th minute thanks to sophomore forward Sean Goode's goal off a pass from sophomore defender Scott Clark, but Garcia completed the hat trick with his final score in the 75th minute, getting assisted by Antonio Villegas for the game-winner.
Sophomore Edwin Elizarraraz earned the victory in goal for the Roadrunners as he totaled four saves. Freshman keeper Colin Smith also had four saves for Irvine Valley in the loss.
Irvine Valley enters Orange Empire Conference action on Friday with a home match against Santiago Canyon at 3 p.m.
