Irvine Valley's women's soccer team earned one of the most important wins in program history Friday afternoon at home.
The Lasers defeated perennial power Cypress, 1-0, in an Orange Empire Conference match.
It was the first time ever the Lasers defeated the Chargers in women's soccer.
IVC's women's program dates back to 1992.
Irvine Valley also handed Cypress (13-2-4, 10-2-3) just its second loss of the season. Cypress, which was ranked fifth in the state and third in Southern California, had only lost to top-ranked Santiago Canyon so far this year.
And Irvine Valley, which dropped out of this week's Southern California regional poll this week, moved within four points of Cypress for second place in the conference standings. Cypress has 33 points with IVC at 29 points. Santiago Canyon leads the conference with 38 points.
IVC, which improved its record to 12-3-4 overall and 9-3-2 in conference, has two matches left to play – at Saddleback on Monday and then at Norco next Friday. Cypress has a bye Monday and then plays Santiago Canyon on Friday.
"It was huge," IVC third-year coach Joe Supe said after the win. "The girls played a fantastic game. They came out hungry and did everything right."
IVC had solid chances early. Sophomore forward Tiana Salazar had a shot saved, freshman forward Rosa Soto Aleman sent a shot over the top of the goal from inside the box and then Soto Aleman had a shot saved.
But Irvine Valley scored a goal on a perfect shot in the box by freshman forward Crystal Lefebvre in the 25th minute. Lefebvre took a pass from freshman midfielder Berenice Pacheco and beat Cypress keeper Paulina Serna with a shot that found its way under the crossbar. It was Lefebvre's sixth goal of the season and fourth goal in her last six contests.
The Laser defense, which recorded its 11th shutout of the season, made the goal stand up the rest of the way.
Sophomore Emely Portillo and freshmen Evelyn Lucatero, Marissa Perez, Christina Anderson and Virginia Hickman along with freshman goalie Yesenia Pulido led the way on defense.
Pulido saved Cypress's best chance in the 65th minute with a leaping save on a shot off a free kick by Jenny Marin.
Irvine Valley's defense has given up just 13 goals in 19 matches so far this year.
Cypress scored three of those goals in a 3-0 win the first time the two teams met on Oct. 7.
"We kept the ball today, played smart and made good decisions all game long," Supe said. "I couldn't ask for anything more from this team. It is such a wonderful group to work with."
