Irvine Valley's women's soccer team officially opens its season on Friday when it travels to Cuyamaca for a non-conference match at 3 p.m.
On Monday, the Lasers were selected to place fifth in Orange Empire Conference Sports Information Directors Poll.
The full poll can be seen below.
Cypress was selected first, followed by Saddleback, Santiago Canyon and Orange Coast. IVC rounded out the top five.
Saddleback and Cypress both advanced to the 3C2A State Tournament last season and both ended up losing to eventual state champion Folsom Lake College.
Saddleback won the state title in 2022 while Cypress lost in the state finals in each of the past two seasons.
Irvine Valley had a solid season in 2024, just missing the regional playoffs.
The Lasers finished with a record of 10-10-1 overall and a mark of 5-8-1 in conference play.
IVC, led by fourth-year head coach Tom Lancaster, returns several players from last season, including Megan Beal, Haley Flores, Brianna Gamon, Kuuipo Laumatia, Jessica Katriel-Lopez, Nikki MacDonald, Emily McGregor, Yasmine Medina, Emily Orosco, Samantha Ortiz, Ashley Reina, Izzy Rodriguez, Cesia Ruiz, Lilliana Springer and Joanna Valdez.
Irvine Valley plays its first home game of the season on Friday, Aug. 29 against Grossmont at 3 p.m.
IVC starts conference action on Friday, Oct. 3 against Saddleback at home at 3 p.m.
OEC Sports Information Directors Preseason Poll:
| Rank | Team | Points | First Place Votes | |
| 1 | Cypress | 60 | 4 | |
| 2 | Saddleback | 58 | 4 | |
| 3 | Santiago Canyon | 50 | ||
| 4 | Orange Coast | 39 | ||
| 5 | Irvine Valley | 27 | ||
| 6 | Golden West | 25 | ||
| 7 | Fullerton | 19 | ||
| 8 | Santa Ana | 12 |
