IVC Womens Soccer outfoxes the Santa Ana Dons
The Irvine Valley College Women’s Soccer team played an Orange Empire Conference match-up against the visiting Santa Ana College Dons on Friday, Sept. 26.
Despite the even score of 0-0, the Lasers playmakers clearly had the advantage in ball possession, stretching the field, countering attacks, and making shots on goal. The Lasers had many chances to strike the visiting Dons, who prevailed in their goal perfectly.
“We are better than what we showed today,” said Lasers assistant coach Peter Carey. “I mean a lot better.”
IVC’s Orange Empire Conference record is now (2-1-1). Santa Ana has not won a game in league so far, with a record of 0-2-1. Sophomore forwards Tiana Salazar and Kristen Ostler had many good opportunities to score. Freshman forward Rosa Soto-Aleman also missed two shots on goal.
“I don’t think we played at our level. We came in too casual,” said sophomore forward Tiana Salazar, “Just because we thought it was Santa Ana, we thought we could go easy.”
The Lasers wing strikers did break through the tough Dons defense, taking shots under extreme pressure. The Dons had three physical fast defensive halfbacks always in running distance to cutoff the Lasers’ forwards. They lacked players in front of the goal in order to receive the cross pass when the forwards broke free. This was one of the key problems as they did not get enough players to transition in front of the goal to knock the ball in the net.
“We could’ve done better. We were playing at their level,” said freshman midfielder Berenice Pacheco, “We should’ve had at least 1 or 2 goals to their 0.”
