Pirates edge Lasers, 1-0 in OEC opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Irvine Valley (6-2-0, 0-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Orange Coast (7-2-0, 1-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
COSTA MESA -- The opening five minutes of the second half proved to be the difference-maker for the Orange Coast College women's soccer team as the Pirates pulled out a 1-0 win over visiting Irvine Valley on Tuesday in the Orange Empire Conference opener for both teams.
After a scoreless first half between two solid programs, the Pirates (7-2, 1-0 in the OEC) needed a big save in goal from Layla Cash in the opening minute of the second half. After not playing the first half, Cash had to be on her game immediately as she saw the Lasers break through the Pirate defense with IVC's Nikki MacDonald 1-on-1 with the OCC goalkeeper. MacDonald took the point-blank shot and Cash came up with a huge save to keep the contest scoreless.
Just a few minutes later, OCC's Finley Doucette beat her IVC defender down the side and fed a nice pass to the feet of Grace Boyce, who ripped a shot past IVC goalkeeper Alexa Peterson for the lone goal of match, coming in the 49th minute.
From there, the Pirate defense tightened back up and the Lasers were kept off of the scoreboard the rest of the way, with Cash earning three saves.
OCC dictated most of the possession on the Lasers (6-2, 0-1), but both teams headed into the locker room scoreless. OCC starting goalkeeper Samantha Ortega didn't see any shots come her way, while Peterson finished the match with 11 saves total. Coast outshot the Lasers, 15-8.
The Pirates will return to action on Friday at Santiago Canyon College, beginning at 3 p.m. OCC's next home match will take place Tuesday night, inside LeBard Stadium against Golden West, beginning at 7 p.m.
