Irvine Valley's women's soccer team took care of business in an important match on Friday afternoon at home.
The Lasers defeated a hot Golden West team, 3-0, in an Orange Empire Conference contest.
Golden West had won three straight matches heading into Friday, including defeating state-ranked Cypress on Tuesday, and had moved within two points of Irvine Valley for third place in conference.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 10-3-3 overall and 7-3-1 in conference.
The win for Irvine Valley, which is ranked No. 10 in Southern California, solidified its spot in the standings.
"This was a big win and we are excited about it," Irvine Valley coach Joe Supe said. "It puts us very solidly in third place."
Irvine Valley sits in third behind Santiago Canyon and Cypress. It is just two points behind Cypress for second.
"We are playing smart and really managing the game," Supe said. "It is something we are working really hard on with the players."
Irvine Valley's defense, led by sophomores Emely Portillo and Celina Chang and freshmen Evelyn Lucatero, Marissa Perez and Virgnia Hickman and backed by freshmen goalies Yesenia Pulido and Herminia Verduzco, controlled the game on Friday.
The shutout was Irvine Valley's ninth of the season and amazing seventh in conference action.
"We have speed and skill back there," Supe said. "And they all play with so much intelligence. Emely has been the leader and there is so much potential with players like Evelyn and Marissa. I've been very happy with the way they have all played."
Irvine Valley made sure the game was not close into halftime by getting two goals in the opening 22 minutes.
Freshman forward Rosa Soto Aleman took a through pass from Hickman and scored in the 13th minute.
Nine minutes later, freshman forward Crystal Lefebvre finished a cross by Chang.
Irvine Valley scored its final goal in the 77th minute when sophomore forward Tiana Salazar rocketed a left-footed shot in off a cross from sophomore midfielder Kristen Ostler.
Irvine Valley's 10 wins now this season is just one short of the total from last year when the team went 11-7-2 overall.
Irvine Valley still has five matches left in the regular season. The team is at Santa Ana next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and then hosts Orange Coast next Friday at 3 p.m.
