Irvine Valley's men's soccer team went into Friday's key Orange Empire Conference match at Cypress with four games left in the regular season.
Every single contest is important with the race in the OEC so tight.
The Lasers took took a 1-0 lead within 10 minutes on a goal by freshman forward Grant Miller off of an assist from freshman midfielder Jacob Edwards.
It was Miler's conference-leading ninth goal of the season. Miller also leads the OEC in points with 21.
But Cypress answered in the 18th minute when Julio Perez scored off an assist from Raymond Ramirez to make it a 1-1 contest.
The teams went back and forth the rest of the way with both sides having chances.
"It was a cagey game where both teams threatened," IVC coach Conor Ward said. "A draw is a fair reflection of what happened over 90 minutes. We can take the positives, another game without defeat and a point on the road again."
Irvine Valley freshman keeper Tygo Steenvoorden finished with 2 saves on the day.
Irvine Valley's record went to 9-5-4 overall and 4-2-3 in the OEC and stayed just behind Fullerton and Golden West in the conference. Cypress went to 7-4-5 overall and 4-2-2 in conference.
"When the players give you their all in terms of energy and intensity, then you can't fault them no matter the result," Ward said. "This is such a hard-working group of young players."
IVC trails onlu Fullerton and Golden West in the standings after scoring the point on Friday.
The Lasers host Santiago Canyon next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and then finish with a road game at Golden West next Friday and a home game on Tuesday, Nov. 8 against Fullerton.
