Irvine Valley's women's soccer team headed into the start of Orange Empire Conference play on a roll with a record of 6-1 overall.
But as head coach Tom Lancaster said, "It is going to be a tight race."
IVC battled at Orange Coast on Tuesday for 90 minutes, but came up short.
The opening five minutes of the second half proved to be the difference-maker for Coast as the Pirates pulled out a 1-0 win over visiting Irvine Valley on Tuesday.
Orange Coast went to 7-2 overall and the Lasers slipped to 6-2 overall.
OCC needed a big save in goal from Layla Cash in the opening minute of the second half to help with the win.
IVC broke through the Pirate defense with sophomore forward Nikki MacDonald going 1-on-1 with the OCC goalkeeper.
MacDonald took the point-blank shot and Cash came up with a save to keep the contest scoreless.
Just a few minutes later, OCC's Finley Doucette fed a pass to the feet of Grace Boyce, who scored for the lone goal of the match in the 49th minute.
Irvine Valley freshman goalie Alexa Peterson made 11 saves in the match.
Orange Coast out-shot IVC, 15-8, in the contest.
