Men's soccer team gets back on track
Oct 20, 2006
The Irvine Valley men's soccer team bounced back from its first loss in Orange Empire Conference play with a convincing 2-0 victory over Cypress at home on Friday afternoon.
A 2-0 loss to Santa Ana earlier this week snapped Irvine Valley's five-game win streak. But with the win on Friday, irvine Valley stayed atop the conference standings.
The Lasers and Santa Ana entered Friday’s action tied for first. The win over Cypress improved Irvine Valley's record to 10-3-2 overall and 6-1-1 in conference.
Irvine Valley got on the board early. Freshmand midfielder Sina Alipour was taken down in the Cypress end and a free kick was awarded to IVC.
Freshman defender Mark Shadrack sent a cross from left to right that found the foot of a leaping Roberto Linck. Linck, a freshman midfielder, guided his volley past the Cypress keeper and in. It was Linck’s fifth goal of the season.
The Lasers put the game away five minutes into the second half. Freshman forward Mark Skillin got a hold of a loose ball in the box after a corner kick by Linck, and beat the keeper with a shot to the lower right corner.
Irvine Valley’s defense did the rest, posting its fifth shutout of the season and third in its last four games.
Irvine Valley dominated play throughout the contest, out-shooting Cypress, 7-2, in the first half and, 8-2, in the second half. Irvine Valley freshman goalie Jesus Olivera had to make just one save in the contest.
“The guys played well,” Irvine Valley Coach Martin McGrogan said. “They battled hard and took their chances. This was an important win because we had tied Cypress earlier in the year. It was good to get the three points today. We still have a chance to do some things this year.”
Irvine Valley plays at Riverside next Tuesday.