Irvine Valley's women's soccer team didn't pick up a victory, but the Lasers got the Orange Empire Conference portion of their season off to a solid start by playing one of the best teams in the nation tough.
The Lasers fell to Santiago Canyon, 1-0, on Tuesday at home.
Santiago Canyon is the defending conference champion, was runner-up in the state last season and is ranked No. 3 in the community college national poll this year.
IVC also played Santiago Canyon close last season at home, losing, 2-0.
In the heat and humidity on Tuesday, Irvine Valley had its best chance to score early on.
Courtney Smith hit the left post on a free kick from 20 yards out 18 minutes into the contest.
Santiago Canyon was on the attack for much of the rest of the game.
Denise Delgadillo, Andrea Najera, Brooke Mays, Rosario Gonzalez and America Quintana each created opportunities for the Hawks in the first half, but IVC's defense was solid.
Freshman keeper Nicole Dunn made a diving save on Mays attempt in the 37th minute.
Santiago Canyon scored its lone goal in the 44th minute when Danielle Snook was able to head in a corner kick off the foot of Quintana.
Santiago Canyon continued to apply pressure early on in the second half. Dunn and IVC defenders Emely Portillo, Evelyn Lucatero, Christina Anderson and Marissa Perez were up for the challenge.
Dunn knocked a shot from Jordyn Belanto over the top of the goal and she made a save at close range off a shot by Kylie Klein.
IVC was able to make some waves offensively near the end of the contest. Freshman midfielder Chelsea Gatdula sent a header wide in the 88th minute and a free kick by Smith toward the near post just before the final whistle sounded was saved by Santiago Canyon keeper Casey Pulido.
Dunn ended up making an impressive 10 saves in goal for IVC in the contest.
Irvine Valley, which dropped its first game of the season, saw its record fall to 3-1-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference, while Santiago Canyon improved to 4-0-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday, traveling to Fullerton for a conference match at 3 p.m.
