Mission Viejo Team Makes Nationals in Club Soccer

Erin Misaki scored both goals as the Mission Viejo Mirage under-18 girls’ club soccer team defeated FC Portland Yellow, 2-0, to win its division at the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships Saturday at the Kern County Soccer Park in Bakersfield.

It was the first regional title since 1993 for the Mirage, who advance to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships July 20-25 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Florida. Only winners in the under-16 through under-19 divisions advance to the national championships.

Also winning a title was the Wolfpack Blue under-15 girls’ team from Fountain Valley, which defeated Colorado Rush Nike, 1-0, on Tami Fipps’ overtime goal in the 93rd minute.

The Southern California Blues from San Juan Capistrano defeated San Ramon Illusion, 2-0, on goals by Tessa Baker in the 36th and 53rd minutes to win the under-14 girls’ title.

Orange County’s other finalist, the North Huntington Beach under-13 boys’ team, was defeated by the La Jolla Nomads, 2-1.

TENNIS

Joseph Kao of Fullerton defeated Rylan Rizza of Rancho Palos Verdes, 7-5, 6-4, Saturday to advance to today’s championship match in the boys’ 16s division at the Southern California Junior Tennis Championships at Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club in Fountain Valley.

Kao, who is seeded ninth, will play fourth-seeded Ryan Heinberg of Agoura.

Natalie Braverman of Newport Beach upset second-seeded Andrea Yung of San Marino, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, to advance to the final in the girls’ 16s. In the other semifinal, Dana Point’s Amberly Tantee lost to top-seeded Luana Magnani of Pasadena, 6-1, 6-2.

In the girls’ 14s, top-seeded Lindsay Nelson of Orange defeated Corona del Mar’s Anne Yelsey, 6-0, 6-4, and will play No. 2 Erica Sauer of Somis in the final.

Also advancing to the finals were Tracy Lin of Anaheim in the girls’ 12s and Scott Hohenstein of Anaheim in boys’ 12s.

THE PREPS

At least two more Orange County high school figures have emerged as candidates to become the next Southern Section commissioner.

Huntington Beach High Principal Jim Staunton and Huntington Union High School District Assistant Superintendent John Myers were among those to be interviewed Saturday by the section executive committee, which is seeking to replace Dean Crowley. Crowley retires in September after holding the position for six years.

Committee President Margie Godfrey would not reveal how many candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, or tell who they were, but it’s known that Staunton and Myers were asked to apply for the job after the executive committee hired an executive recruiter to identify potential replacements.