Irvine Valley's women's soccer team applied pressure all afternoon long on Friday against Santa Ana at home, but the Lasers couldn't come up with their third straight Orange Empire Conference victory.
Irvine Valley had to settle for a 0-0 draw with the Dons.
IVC's record moved to 5-1-3 overall and 2-1-1 in conference, while Santa Ana improved to 1-5-1 overall and 0-2-1 in conference.
"We had some chances," IVC coach Joe Supe said. "We just couldn't get that finish that we needed in there."
IVC out-shot Santa Ana, 10-4, for the contest and held possession of the ball for much of the match.
Santa Ana had its best chance to score very early on. A high arching shot by Brianna Cruz had to be knocked over the top of the net by Irvine Valley freshman goalie Herminia Verduzco in the 11th minute.
Freshman forward Rosa Soto Aleman, sophomore forward Tiana Salazar and sophomore midfielder Kristen Ostler each created opportunities for the Lasers in the first half.
Ostler had a shot saved by Santa Ana keeper Teresa Pinto in the 37th minute.
In the second half, a free kick by Irvine Valley freshman defender Marissa Perez sailed just over the top of the net.
And IVC nearly scored with 12 minutes left. Sophomore defender Celina Chang took a cross on the far post and tried to push the ball in, but Pinto was there to make the save.
The Lasers did earn their fifth shutout of the year and third in a row. Leading the defensive effort was sophomore captain Emely Portillo and freshmen Christina Anderson, Evelyn Lucatero and Perez.
Verduzco played the first half and made two saves and freshman Nicole Dunn played the second half and came up with one save to help post the shutout for IVC.
The Lasers play at Orange Coast next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and then have a bye on Friday from conference action.
