In leading up to the start of the 2015-16 athletics campaign at Irvine Valley, which starts on Aug. 24 with women's volleyball competing in the Azusa Pacific scrimmage tournament, the Laser athletic department will count down the top 10 IVC sports stories from the 2014-15 school year.
At No. 9 on the list is the impressive season turned in by the Irvine Valley women's soccer team in 2014-15. IVC set records, defeated Cypress, made the playoffs and had a player sign with a Division 1 school under the direction of third-year coach Joe Supe. Even more great things are to come in the future for this IVC program.
Irvine Valley's women's soccer team continued its rise to being one of the best squad's in Southern California in 2014.
The Lasers finished with a record of 12-4-6 overall, went 9-3-4 in the Orange Empire Conference for third place and made the Southern California Regional Playoffs for the first time in 20 years.
Freshman midfielder Berenice Pacheco was named the team's most valuable player.
Pacheco was one of four team award winners for the Lasers.
Sophomore midfielder Courtney Smith was picked as the squad's offensive player of the year, sophomore defender Emely Portillo earned defensive player of the year honors and freshman midfielder Virginia Hickman was chosen as the coaches' award winner.
Pacheco was a valuable player for the Lasers, contributing on offense and also helping to control the midfield.
She finished with two goals and three assists. Her seven points tied for fourth most on the team.
Pacheco had a goal and an assist in Irvine Valley's 4-0 win at Santa Ana on Oct. 28.
Smith also finished with seven points from her midfield spot. She had three goals and one assist on the season.
She had one of the team's best and most important goals of the season, scoring the lone goal in the 75th minute to help the Lasers defeat rival Saddleback, 1-0, at home on Oct. 10.
Portillo, a two-year starter for Irvine Valley, was also named first team all-Orange Empire Conference. She helped the IVC defense give up just 17 goals all season and record 11 shutouts.
Hickman played several different positions for IVC this season, helping in the midfield and on defense when called for.
"She did whatever it took for us to win and never complained once," IVC coach Joe Supe said. "Really, all of the girls did such a tremendous job this year. I am proud of each one of them.
"It was great to celebrate this season."
Portillo also became IVC's first player to receive a four-year scholarship in 20 years. She will be playing at Division 1 Louisiana-Monroe this fall.
Six players were also named to all-conference teams.
Portillo, sophomore forward Tiana Salazar and freshman defender Evelyn Lucatero were each named to the first team, while freshman midfielder Brittany Jenkins, freshman forward Rosa Soto Aleman and freshman defender Marissa Perez were each picked to the second team.
Portillo, Lucatero and Perez where mainstays on the IVC defense and a big reason why IVC allowed just 17 goals all season. The Lasers recorded 11 shutouts, which was a school record.
Irvine Valley also only gave up more than two goals in two games all season.
Portillo, the captain of the defense, and Lucatero anchored the middle of the field on defense for the Lasers. Lucatero had one goal and two assists and Portillo added an assist on the year.
Portillo was a two-year starter for the Lasers.
Perez, who played on the outside and also made crucial runs up the field, had one goal and six assists on the year. She was second on the team in assists.
Salazar, another two-year starter, ranked second in the conference in assists with nine and seventh in points with 19 (five goals and nine assists).
Soto Aleman improved throughout the season for Irvine Valley and finished second on the team in goals with seven and also second in points with 17 (seven goals and three assists). She scored a goal in three straight games in October as IVC made its push toward the playoffs.
Jenkins was an important piece for Irvine Valley in the midfield, helping both offensively and defensively. She finished with one assist on the season.
Irvine Valley begins the 2015 season won Friday, Aug. 28 at home against MiraCosta at 3 p.m.
