The Irvine Valley men’s soccer team didn’t pick up its first win of the season in Orange Empire Conference action, but the Lasers did earn their first point.

Irvine Valley tied Santiago Canyon, 1-1, at home on Friday afternoon.

IVC’s record moved to 2-6-2 overall and 0-3-1 in conference, while Santiago Canyon’s record went to 5-3-2 overall and 1-2-1 in conference.

The teams played a very even first half. Santiago Canyon got on the board first, scoring in the 26th minute. Brandon Cortez won a battle for the ball on the left side with a tough tackle. The ball deflected to Nicholas Markham who beat IVC goalie Julio Trejo with a shot to the lower right corner.

Irvine Valley responded five minutes later. Sophomore forward Luis Miguel got a hold of a loose ball in the box and scored. It was Miguel's fourth straight match with a goal. He has four goals and four assists in his last four contests.

Santiago Canyon had the best chance in the rest of the first half, but Trejo came up with a save on a header by Cortez.

Irvine Valley had several opportunities to put the game away in the second half, but couldn’t finish or was denied by Santiago Canyon goalie Gregg Griffin.

Shots by Edward Zepeda and Brice Adams on successive plays were saved by Griffin.

The Lasers had a goal called back because of offsides later in the half.

In the 80th minute, Miguel took a shot that Griffin saved, the rebound went out to Miguel again and his shot toward the right side of the goal was cleared by a Santiago Canyon defender.

A header by Zepeda late in the contest was also saved by Griffin, who finished with six saves in the contest.

Irvine Valley will try again for its first win in conference next Tuesday when it plays at Golden West at 3 p.m.