Irvine Valley's men's soccer team showed some flashes in its opening match of the 2019 season.
The Lasers fell behind early, came back with two quick goals at the end of the first half and then gave up a late goal to finish up with a 2-2 tie against Rio Hondo at home on Tuesday.
"Rio Hondo is a good team that makes the playoffs almost every year," Irvine Valley coach Martin McGrogan said. "I thought we played really well at times. We created lots of chances and I think we probably deserved to win today.
"It was disappointed to give up that late goal, but overall I was pretty pleased with the way we looked."
Irvine Valley got both of its goals from freshman forward Max Kleinhammes.
Rio Hondo took the lead in the 23rd minute when Irvine Valley turned the ball over in the back and then Fernando Guerrero scored off a pass from Havier Zaragoza.
But Irvine Valley came back with the back-to-back goals from Kleinhammes.
The first started with a corner kick by freshman midfielder Dowan Kim that freshman defender Christopher Osuna flicked with his head to Kleinhammes. And the former JSerra High standout volleyed the ball past Rio Hondo keeper Jafet Salgado to tie the score.
Two minutes later, Irvine Valley jumped in front.
Freshman midfielder Izzy Abdelkader slipped a pass to Kleinhammes and he finished to put Irvine Valley ahead, 2-1.
Irvine Valley had several other opportunities in the first half to increase its lead. Kim, sophomore defender Giovanni Castagna, freshman midfielder Bryan Landazuri and freshman midfielder Juan Gomez each had chances.
Rio Hondo's Angel Cardenes nearly tied the game before the end of the first half when his long shot caromed off the crossbar and away.
Irvine Valley came out quick in the second half, but both teams settled in after that.
Irvine Valley held a man advantage in the 76th minute when Odvan Gomez received a red card for the Roadrunners.
But the Lasers couldn't take full advantage.
Gomez sent a long shot that the Rio Hondo keeper tipped over in the 79th minute.
And even with 10 players, Rio Hondo tied the contest in the 84th minute when Jose Penaloza scored.
Irvine Valley out-shot Rio Hondo, 14-7, in the game.
Sophomore keeper Nathan King finished with two saves in the contest for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday when it makes its annual trip to the Hartnell Tournament. IVC opens against Fresno City at 1 p.m.
