The Irvine Valley men's golf team shot an average of 2 over par for its best 5 players in its match against Santiago Canyon on Monday at El Prado in Chino. 

But Santiago Canyon averaged 2 under par for its top five to beat IVC, Riverside and Santa Ana in the Orange Empire Conference contest.

Santiago Canyon finished with a score of 2 under par 358.

IVC and Santa Ana posted scores of 373. Riverside scored 376.

Santiago Canyon's throwout score was a 2 over par 74.

IVC had defeated Santiago Canyon on its home course at Oak Creek earlier this season.

"All nine teams in the Orange Empire Conference have improved as we near the midpoint," said IVC Coach Ben Burnett. "This conference is so strong that the home team must shot scores of near par in order to pick up a win."

Four of out IVC's six scores were competitive.

Daniel Neben's 1 under par 71 made him the third member of the IVC team to score under par in conference competition. He had three birdies, 13 pars and two bogeys.

Joe Chun shot 1 over par 73. He finished with three birdies, 11 pars and four bogeys.

Adam Ruppert was 3 over par at 75. Ruppert finished with one eagle, three  birdies, eight pars, four bogeys and two double bogeys.
 
Sylvain Debiais was 4 over par at 76 and Dane Thomas shot 6 over par 78.

IVC's next conference match is Monday at Riverside's Victoria Golf Club.