The Irvine Valley women's soccer team scored three goals in the first half and went on to a 3-2 victory over Santa Ana in an Orange Empire Conference match on Friday at home.
It was Irvine Valley's first win in conference play and improved its record to 3-3-1 overall and 1-1-1 in conference. Santa Ana's record slipped to 4-4-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference.
All five goals in the match were scored in the first 45 minutes of action.
IVC took the lead in the 14th minute.
Freshman forward Johana Arbaca started the play with a pass forward to freshman forward Brenda Chopin. Chopin drove in toward the goal and then passed across to sophomore forward Crystal Lefebvre, who put a left-footed shot past Santa Ana goalie Joey Martinez.
It was Lefebvre's team-leading third goal of the season.
Santa Ana answered back in the 18th minute. Kacee Thoren got loose on the right side and pushed a shot by Irvine Valley freshman keeper Rebecca Trejo to make it a 1-1 game.
But IVC took the lead for good just a minute later. Chopin added to her earlier assist with a goal.
She sent a powerful shot from near the top of the box on the right side into the back of the net to give Irvine Valley a 2-1 lead.
The Lasers made it a 3-1 advantage when freshman midfielder Alison Martinez was able to knock in a rebound in the 34th minute.
Santa Ana pulled within a goal just before the end of the first half. Melissa Gamboa stole a pass deep in IVC territory and then scored in the 44th minute.
IVC led, 3-2, at the break.
And that is the way the match eventually ended even through Irvine Valley had several good chances to add to its lead in the second half. IVC out-shot Santa Ana, 13-4, in the second half.
Sophomore defender Christina Anderson hit the crossbar with a shot and Chopin hit the post with a follow early in the half.
Martinez, the Santa Ana goalie, made a diving save on a shot by Chopin a few minutes later
Freshman forward Luci Bernal had two breakaway attempts with Martinez saving one of them.
Chopin also had a late breakaway, but was taken down by Martinez just outside the box. Martinez was issued a red card on the play.
Martinez ended up making seven saves on the day for Santa Ana. IVC keepers split time with Trejo playing the first half and not having to make a save and sophomore Herminia Verduzco playing the second half and making three saves.
IVC plays again next Tuesday, hosting Orange Coast in a conference match at 3 p.m.
