Parents’ Protest Forces Switch in Irvine Soccer Pairings

The Woodbridge High School boys’ soccer team was returned to the winners’ bracket of the Irvine tournament, and Westminster was dropped into the fifth-place bracket after pressure from Woodbridge parents forced a reversal of a previous decision, tournament director Rick Surrell said Wednesday.

Surrell said Woodbridge had been placed in the fifth-place bracket Monday after an incident forced suspension of a game between the schools. The game was called by referees after a Woodbridge parent refused to leave the field. Woodbridge was leading, 2-1. According to Surrell, Southern Section officials said that when a game is suspended, the team that’s ahead is the winner.

Surrell said athletic directors from Woodbridge and Westminster made a “gentleman’s agreement” to move Westminster into the semifinals anyway. But Tuesday, Woodbridge parents complained to Principal Greg Cops, who met with Athletic Director Dave Cowan.

“Dave called and said that if we didn’t put Woodbridge back into the winners’ bracket, then the parents might seek a court injunction to do so,” Surrell said.

Woodbridge lost to Saddleback, 2-1, Wednesday. Westminster plays Mater Dei at 3 p.m. today.