The Irvine Valley women's soccer team played its best match of the season so far in a 2-0 non-conference win over Palomar on Tuesday afternoon at home.
The Lasers scored both goals in the second half and had chances for many more in improving their record to 2-0-1 on the year.
"It was a great game and definitely an improvement on what we did last Friday (a 1-1 tie with San Diego City)," IVC Coach Joe Supe said. "We were ready to play today. We made less mistakes overall. In the second half, our fitness stood out. I am really happy with the result."
After a scoreless first half (IVC did have a goal called back for offsides), Irvine Valley turned up the intensity in the second half.
Sophomore Kelly Cox nearly scored two different times early in the half. She missed just wide with a long-range shot and hit a volley that just went over the bar.
Freshman midfielder Samantha Mendoza headed a shot over the bar shortly after off a cross from freshman Shantel Romero and then a header by Cox was saved by Palomar keeper Jill Mullen.
IVC got on the board in the 66th minute when Desirae Santana hit a shot from 25 yards out that found its way over Mullen and in.
The goal opened the door for more and more chances for IVC to score.
Freshman Tiana Salazar created four straight chances. She sent a ball right across the goal mouth, hit two shots just wide and then another over the top of the net.
Cox then took a pass from sophomore forward Yasmin Hart and sent a one-time shot on goal that was saved by Mullen.
Irvine Valley finished off its scoring in the 79th minute. Santana found Hart open with a pass at the top of the box, she turned and beat the Palomar with a shot to the lower left corner.
"We dominated the entire game," Supe said. "We just need to keep working hard and getting better."
Irvine Valley freshman goalie Shannon Duffy needed to make just two saves for the shutout. Duffy got help from defenders that included Emely Portillo, Madisen Hammonds, Wendy Rendon, Zuleyka Ruiz, Romero and Amanda George.
The Lasers play again on Friday, taking on West LA at home at 2 p.m.
