Irvine Valley's women's soccer team held a lead in the early second half against one of the top teams in the Orange Empire Conference.
But the Lasers couldn't make it stand up and fell to Cypress, 2-1, in an Orange Empire Conference match at IVC on Tuesday afternoon.
The loss dropped Irvine Valley's record to 6-7-4 overall and 4-6-2 in conference play. Cypress, which entered the match in second place in the conference, improved to 10-1-5 overall and 7-0-4 in conference.
It was the second 2-1 loss for the Lasers against the Chargers this season.
After a back and forth and even first half, Irvine Valley scored five minutes into the second half.
Sophomore midfielder Samantha Mendoza sent a ball in from the left side. Sophomore forward Helene Drean was able to direct it to freshman forward Catherine Pineda and she finished. The ball hit the goalie and the post before going in.
It was Pineda's first goal as a Laser.
Cypress answered with a goal to tie the match in the 59th minute. Kristen Nolan scored was sent a cross from left to right and she beat IVC sophomore keeper Yesenia Pulido with a shot.
Cypress found the game-winner in the 67th minute when Julissa Zuniga flicked in a shot with the outside of her foot from the middle of the box. The assist came from Nolan.
Irvine Valley pressed as the game went on and nearly came up with a tying goal. Sophomore defender Rosa Soto-Aleman made several strong runs down the left side in the second half.
She missed just wide on one shot and had another shot saved by Cypress keeper Angeles Alvarez.
And in the 71st minute, Alvarez made a diving save on a free kick from 25 yards out by IVC sophomore midfielder Vanessa Gonzalez.
Irvine Valley out-shot Cypress, 14-12, in the match, including, 8-5, in the second half.
The Lasers play again at home on Friday, hosting Orange Coast in a conference match at 3 p.m.
