Wilson’s Little to Sit Out Season

Kelly Little, a senior defender for Long Beach Wilson’s girls’ soccer team, has decided to sit out the remainder of the season to prepare for her freshman year at UC Irvine.

Little, a Times All-Star selection last season, notified Wilson Coach Dalton Kaufman of her decision before this week’s Santa Ana Foothill tournament. Wilson (7-3-1) lost in the first round, 2-0, to Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills.

Little had three goals and one assist this season but did not play in the tournament.

“It was a combination of injuries and frustration of working so hard and not getting where I wanted with the team,” Little said.

Little has undergone two hip surgeries -- one in 1996 and the other in 2001 -- and, according to Kaufman, “could hardly walk” after a recent game against Dana Point Dana Hills.

Little said she plans on lifting weights and training with national team players in the coming months.

“It’s a loss and it’s disappointing, but it’s what’s best for her,” Kaufman said.

“She has a great career ahead of her.”

Elia Powers

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The Southern Section has investigated a recruiting violation alleged to have taken place in the football program at San Juan Capistrano Serra High, a private Catholic school that opened its doors in the fall with great fanfare but has yet to play on the varsity level.

Section Commissioner Jim Staunton acknowledged that he has spoken to Serra Principal Tom Waszak about a violation, but would not elaborate.

Staunton is scheduled to report his findings to the section’s Executive Committee at its Jan. 10 meeting, a first step in a process that could lead to sanctions.

Earlier in the week, when informed that a report on Serra was listed on the Executive Committee agenda, school President Tim Busch told The Times that he did not know why.

Waszak could not be reached, but in past investigations of other institutions, Staunton has given principals time to address charges and make corrections, if warranted, before taking punitive action.

Staunton also is scheduled to report to the Executive Committee whether or not tiny Gardena Masada will be able to sustain the four sports it offers in order to maintain membership in the section.

Paul McLeod and Dave McKibben

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Los Angeles Loyola and La Verne Damien, the Nos. 6- and 10-ranked boys’ soccer teams in the Southland by The Times, will be among 24 schools taking part in the inaugural West Coast Classic tournament that starts today at Irvine Valley College.

Damien (9-2-2) will play Anaheim Canyon in a pool-play game at 1:30 this afternoon while Loyola (9-1-2) will play its first pool-play game against Laguna Beach at 11 a.m. Friday.

The championship and fifth-place semifinals are being held Saturday afternoon as are the third- and fifth-place games.

The tournament final will be played Monday at 3 p.m.

-- John Ortega