Marina Players Do Public Service Work

Four members of Marina’s varsity girls’ soccer squad may soon be seen in a public service announcement with members of Team USA.

Viking teammates Paige Morgan, Alexis Hoag, Amanda Gonzalez and Lizzie Torres were selected, along with members of the under-12 and under-13 soccer clubs of Anaheim, to participate in a television spot for Drug-Free America.

Though the filming of scenes involving Team USA members Brandi Chastain, Shannon MacMillan, Carla Overbeck and Tiffeny Milbrett was done separately, the high school girls got a chance to meet them, talk soccer, pose for pictures and get autographs.

“It was so awesome,” said Morgan, a sophomore. “They were all really nice. It’s really wild because you see them on TV and then, there they are.”

Morgan was selected to be featured in the commercial because she is a member of the under-16 Olympic Development Program, but during the shooting she was put in an unfamiliar position: the goal.

“I’ve never played goalie in my life,” said Morgan, a defender. “But they wanted someone to dive and be a goalie, so I said sure. It was fun. I had mud all over my face and when I’d wipe it off, they’d put more on.”

The filming took place Sunday at Cal State Fullerton. The anti-drug campaign, which will run nationwide, is expected to begin in late January or February.

MOVING ON UP

Two county teams decided to move up this season from the divisions to which they were assigned based on enrollment.

Santa Margarita Coach Chuck Morales moved his team to Division II from Division III, where the Eagles won a section title last season. They had won Division II titles in 1997 and 1998.

But many would argue that the Eagles could compete for the title in Division I.

Morales disagrees.

“[Division II] is where we belong right now,” he said. “And it’s going to be a very strong division this year.”

That’s partly because second-ranked Mission Viejo, which won the Division I title in 1998 and reached the championship game last season, was placed in and is staying in Division II this season, according to Karen Hellyer, a Southern Section assistant commissioner.

Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo are joined by No. 4 Woodbridge and No. 8 Edison in Division II.

Marina also moved up. The Vikings will compete in Division I this season.

“Why not?” Viking Coach Tino Ray Younger said. “The core group of our team is young and is going to be together for a while, and the way it looks with how our enrollment is going, we’re going to be in Division I eventually. So, I’m just planning for the future.”

If you have an item or idea for the girls’ soccer report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at melanie.neff@latimes.com