The Irvine Valley men's soccer team had another tough result on Tuesday at No. 10 Santa Ana.
Santa Ana scored a goal on a deflection in the 58th minute and hung on for a 1-0 win in an Orange Empire Conference match.
Kevin Ruiz gave the Dons the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute when he booted a shot that hit off an IVC defender and went into the goal.
And although the Dons came out with a win, the Lasers didn't go down easy, putting up 12 shots with eight coming in the second half.
Irvine Valley coach Martin McGrogan thought his side played well from start to finish.
"We were really a bit unlucky," McGrogan said. "But the guys kept battling throughout."
Sophomore forwards Daniel Segal and Grant Joyce each had opportunities and sophomore defender Sergio Montes hit a free kick that just went over the goal.
IVC freshman keeper Nathan King had to make just one save in the contest.
Irvine Valley's record went to 4-9-3 overall and 2-6-3 in conference. IVC has four losses and two ties in its last six matches. Three of those four defeats have been by just one goal.
Santa Ana improved its record to 10-1-4 overall and 5-1-4 in conference.
The Lasers play again on Friday, hosting Cypress at 3 p.m. IVC defeated Cypress, 7-0, on the road on Sept. 25.
