It was a special afternoon for the Irvine Valley men's soccer team on Tuesday.
The Lasers opened up a new field, picked up their first victory of the season and handed first-year head coach Conor Ward his inaugural victory at the college.
Irvine Valley defeated Rio Hondo, 2-0, behind a strong offensive and defensive effort.
IVC started the season with a tough stretch last week, taking on three of the best squads in the state and two were nationally ranked.
The Lasers battled and held their own with El Camino, Fresno City and Hartnell, but suffered three losses.
Ward said he was still positive in the way his team continued to get better.
And everything started to come together on Tuesday.
The Lasers dominated possession for most of the contest, had 12 shots and scored a goal in each half for the win.
"Today was a complete performance for us," said Ward, who was an assistant under legendary IVC coach Martin McGrogan for the past three seasons.
"We kept it tight in the back and were exciting going forward. There weren't any mistakes that cost us. We are progressing with every game and it is good to finally get that win that we have been working so hard for."
Irvine Valley started fast with two shots by freshman forward Grant Miller before getting on the board.
And it was a beatiful goal.
Freshman defender Gabriel Velasco played a ball through to Miller, who was flying down the left wing.
Miller took three dribbles and sent a pass to the top of the box where freshman midfielder Emiliano Chavez hit a one-time shot to the upper corner and past the Rio Hondo keeper.
Irvine Valley led, 1-0, 13 minutes into the contest.
It was the only goal for the Lasers in the first half, but the squad continued to put pressure on the Roadrunners and finished with eight shots in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, IVC created a cushion in the 63rd minute when sophomore forward Adem Toskic intercepted a pass in the Rio Hondo box and then slotted a shot past the Roadrunner keeper.
Irvine Valley freshman goalie Tygo Steenvoorden and the defense did the rest.
Steenvoorden had four saves in the match, including a few outstanding ones to record the shutout.
The best came in first half in the 38th minute when he made a diving save on a Rio Hondo free kick.
Steenvoorden made two more leaping stops in the second half to help keep IVC in control.
Velasco, freshman Lennart Granzow, sophomore Steven Osuna and the rest of the Laser defense provided great support.
Ward couldn't have been more proud of his players.
"To get the first win on this new pitch, officially the first game on this pitch, there is not a better feeling as a coach," Ward said. "I will savor this one forever."
Irvine Valley will be at home again on its new field on Friday, hosting Southwestern at 3 p.m.
