The Irvine Valley women's soccer team battled back behind Maria Salgado's powerful leg for a 2-2 Orange Empire Conference draw with Orange Coast at home on Friday afternoon.
Salgado, a freshman midfielder, scored both goals from distance for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 3-6-6 overall and 1-5-5 in conference. It was the team's fourth tie in the last seven contests. Orange Coast moved to 5-7-3 overall and 4-6-1 in conference.
The Pirates took an early lead, getting a goal by Cassidy Klein off an assist from Delani Guyot in the 23rd minute.
OCC led, 1-0, at the half.
But action heated up early in the second half.
The Lasers tied the game just three minutes into the second frame when sophomore defender Cassandra Fuentes passed the ball across to Salgado and she launched a shot from more than 30 yards out that beat the OCC keeper and tied the score.
Orange Coast came right back in the following minute, capitalizing on a counter and having Tiffany Chantler score off a pass from Guyot. The goal gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead.
Irvine Valley tied the score in the 53rd minute on another goal by Salgado. She hit a free kick from almost 40 yards out that found the back of the net.
IVC freshman keeper Bryana Esparza made a diving save off a shot by OCC's Michelle Caballero in the final minute to keep the game tied.
Esparza finished with seven saves on the day for IVC.
Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday at home against Santa Ana. The conference match starts at 3 p.m.
