Lasers rustle a tie with Golden West but lacks charge vs. Cypress
With three games completed in the fall season, Irvine Valley College Women’s Soccer nearly broke the winning streak against the Golden West Rustlers’ winning streak Tuesday, Sept. 23 at home.
Fortunately, IVC was able to fight back in the second half of the game, to overcome a goal deficit to earn a 1-1 tie.
The tie was Irvine Valley’s fourth straight match without a loss, and put the team ahead of the Rustlers in the Orange Empire Conference.
Golden West took a 1-0 lead in the first half when IVC’s defense was struggling to keep the ball out of the box. Rustler’s midfielder Courtney Kolovos beat Laser goalie Lupe Jimenez with a shot to the upper left corner.
By halftime, Golden West out-shot IVC, 5-3.
However, the Lasers stepped up their game at the outset of the second half.
Midfielder Kacie Bigos completing a pass forward in the direction of sophomore midfielder Julie Leguizamo.
The ball bounced off the foot of a Golden West defender and right to Leguizamo, who sent the ball straight into the net.
At the end of the night, IVC goalie Lupe Jimenez finished with four saves. Golden West goalkeeper Veronica Helguera had three saves.
Following the game IVC ended its unbeasten streak last friday with a 6-0 loss to Cypress.
Since the start of the season, Cypress remained undefeated in conference play.
The Chargers got it going early within the eight minute of the game. Forward Kari Wathen got ahold of a loose ball in the box following a corner kick play. She beat IVC goalie Lupe Jimenez with a high shot to the near post. Cypress midfielder Jackiee Roman then scored her first goal of the day in the 24th minute with an assist from freshman midfielder Casey Kiehl , followed by a second goal just before the end of the half for the 3-0 halftime advantage.
The final two goals were scored by Charger midfielder Nicole Weil.
Jimenez, who made a couple of outstanding stops in goal, finished with eight saves for the Lasers.
Three goalies, freshmen Whitney Joslin, Ashley Llanes, and Starr Gonzales split the shutout for Cypress Chargers.
Irvine Valley plays again on Tuesday at Riverside. It will be the Lasers’ first road contest in conference play the game starts at 3 p.m.
The Gauchos also will host their rival Saddleback College Friday at 3 p.m.
The Lasers look to continue their hot streak through conference play.