Taft Receiver Smith Bound for USC

Ending weeks of deliberation and speculation, All-American receiver Steve Smith of Woodland Hills Taft announced Tuesday he had chosen USC over Tennessee as his college choice.

Smith’s decision puts the finishing touch on what appears to be one of the best football recruiting classes at USC since the 1970s. The Trojans have picked up commitments from many of the top high school players in Southern California. Smith set a state record for career receptions with 271 in three years. He also was a standout cornerback.

Signing day is Feb. 5.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Other football commitments:

Alex Puccinelli, an All-Valley defensive end from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, to Utah.

Jason Turner, a linebacker from La Canada St. Francis, to New Mexico.

Alex Gottlieb, an offensive lineman from Valencia, to New Mexico State.

The Lake Forest El Toro boys’ soccer team began the season with three new starters on defense, but that hasn’t prevented the Chargers from shutting down opposing offenses.

With sophomore Taylor Aungst at sweeper and seniors Adrian Capacete, Steve Ruiz and Eric Smith playing defender in front of him, El Toro (14-2-4, 4-1) has posted 13 shutouts and given up only eight goals entering Friday’s South Coast League showdown at Dana Point Dana Hills (12-5-2, 3-1-1).

“They’ve just done a great job back there,” El Toro Coach Ken Sjobom said. “We’ve had four or five games where our goalkeepers have not had a save.”

-- John Ortega

It took awhile to find the right combination, but Santa Margarita girls’ soccer Coach Chuck Morales believes he has a winning one in seniors Ashley Pavlovich and Stephanie De Almeida.

Pavlovich, who had been a reserve, was inserted into the starting lineup at stopper last week. De Almeida, another former reserve, has been starting at sweeper the last three games, in place of freshman Kiki Bosio, who moved to her more natural position at midfield.

“With me, it’s faith. I have to have faith in you, and I hadn’t given them a shot,” Morales said. “Once I did, they came in and really have played very well.”

Santa Margarita (13-4-2, 4-0 in Serra League play) has nine shutouts and is riding a five-match winning streak since a 1-1 tie with Concord Carondolet on Jan. 4.

-- Lauren Peterson