Irvine Valley's women's soccer team played right with district rival Saddleback most of the Orange Empire Conference match on Friday at home.
But the Lasers lost to the Bobcats, 3-1, in an Orange Empire Conference contest.
Irvine Valley's record went to 6-3-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the OEC, while Saddleback moved to 7-1-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference.
It was a battle from the start for the Lasers, who were facing one of the top teams in the state.
Saddleback scored first in the 16th minute off an assist from McKenna Pugh to Jinan Said.
The match went to a 1-0 halftime score.
The duo of Pugh and Said gave Saddleback a 2-0 lead 59:00 when Said fed Pugh for a goal.
Hannah Allen gave the Bobcats a 3-0 advantage in the 71st minute off a pass from Allison Lorenzo in the 71:00 minute.
Irvine Valley kept fighting hard and earned a goal back in the 83rd minute from sophomore forward Kuuipo Laumatia from freshman forward Jenna Hannum.
IVC freshman keeper Joanna Valdez ended with six saves in goal.
IVC is back in action at Santa Ana next Tuesday in a conference match at 2 p.m.
