With Inland Empire Athletic Conference play beginning Friday, the San Bernardino Valley College women's soccer team lined up for one more test against one of the state's perennial powers, Mt. San Antonio College.
And for about 89 minutes of the game, the Wolverines held tough against the Mounties, stifiling Mt. SAC through the middle of the field, not allowing their offense to build up any sustained attacks.
But in that one minute, the Mounties found a seam and exploited it.
Near the end of the first half, Veronica Aquino sent a ball through the SBVC defense, and Zuhayle Diaz broke through just onside, beating SBVC goalkeeper Haley Weghorst to the loose ball and firing it into the net to give the Mounties the only goal they would need in a 1-0 win at SBVC Stadium.
Mt. SAC outchanced the Wolverines on offense, firing 17 shots toward goal, with Weghorst saving five of the seven that were fired on goal. The sixth was a team effort to block away a second half shot after a scramble off a corner kick.
SBVC had six shots in the game, with only one ending up on goal, with Mt. SAC starter Jennifer Sanchez getting credit for the lone save.
The Wolverines open IEAC play against Victor Valley College at 4 p.m. Friday at home.