Irvine Valley Gets Another Chance in Soccer

The Irvine Valley men’s soccer team got a second chance Thursday after its season apparently ended with a playoff loss last week to Compton.

Compton had to forfeit all of its games for using an ineligible player. The Lasers will play at Rio Hondo at 1 p.m. today.

The winner plays at second-seeded Santa Ana Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner of that game goes to the state tournament.

Santa Ana (19-1-3) is hoping to return to the state tournament for the first time since 1995 when the Dons won the title.

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The Golden West men’s water polo team is looking for its 10th consecutive state title and the Rustler women’s team is playing for its second in the state tournament that starts today at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.

In the first round of the men’s tournament: Golden West (31-1-1) takes on San Joaquin Delta (18-11-1) at 9:15 a.m.; Cuesta (26-9-2) plays Merced (18-10-2) at 11:45 a.m. Grossmont (24-10-3) plays West Valley (26-3-1) at 2:15 p.m. and Saddleback (27-7) takes on Diablo Valley (15-14) at 4:45 p.m.

In the first round of the women’s tournament: Golden West (30-3-1) starts the tournament with an 8 a.m. game against Modesto (11-8-1). In other games: Orange Coast (28-4) plays Sierra (18-10) at 10:30 a.m.; Diablo Valley (14-9-2) takes on Grossmont (17-11-1 at 1 p.m. and Riverside (25-9) plays Merced (23-3) at 3:30 p.m.

The tournament continues Saturday and the championships are Sunday.