Upsets Help Propel Irvine to No. 5 Spot in County

Irvine High went from unranked to No. 5 in the county this week after posting impressive victories over Santa Margarita, then ranked second in Orange County, and highly-regarded Long Beach Wilson.

Irvine defeated Santa Margarita, 6-3, and Long Beach Wilson, 7-4. Long Beach Wilson gave Newport Harbor one of its two losses this season.

“If you would have told me that we would’ve been up, 7-1, against Wilson in the fourth quarter, I would have said you were crazy,” Irvine Coach Scott Hinman said. “We lost five key players from last year, and one of our returning starters was our goalie.

“And you never know exactly how the new players will react coming in. But overall, the kids are communicating real well and committing to our game plans.”

Anchoring the Vaqueros is senior goalie Kelly Graff, regarded as one of the best in the county. Senior Emi Umezawa is the only other returning starter, but the Vaqueros have received a boost from newcomers, including juniors Kristi Reidel and Mary Beth Cox and freshman Sarah Hamilton.

“I feel like we have nine starters and we’re just wearing people down,” Hinman said.

Last week’s strong showing gives Irvine even more optimism for a Sea View League showdown Wednesday at Newport Harbor.

Last weekend, Newport Harbor finished second in its own tournament, one that featured seven of the county’s top 10 teams. Villa Park, the new No. 1 team in Orange County, defeated Newport Harbor in the final, 8-7.

“When we give up eight goals, we’re not going to win,” Newport Harbor Coach Brian Kreutzkamp said. “We don’t have that kind of offensive firepower. This isn’t the way we wanted to go into the Irvine game.”

NEWPORT NEWS

* Villa Park is ranked No. 1 in the county this week after posting a nonleague overtime victory against No. 7 Capistrano Valley before winning four consecutive games to win the Newport Harbor tournament title.

* The tournament featured a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown between Newport Harbor and Santa Margarita.

Jenna Murphy scored three goals to lead Newport Harbor to a 7-4 semifinal victory. Newport Harbor scored four goals in the final 5 1/2 minutes to break open a close game.

It was a rough week for Santa Margarita, which finished the tournament with a 7-6 loss to Foothill in the third-place game. Santa Margarita had only two losses a week ago, but lost three times last week.

CENTURY PREVIEW

Foothill nearly knocked off Century League rival and preseason league favorite Villa Park in the Newport Harbor tournament semifinals, but Villa Park escaped with a 7-6 victory.

“The difference between us and Villa Park right now,” Foothill Coach Dan Klatt said, “is that they have all kinds of big-game experience. Their girls are nails when it comes down to those CIF-type games.

“But we showed some heart today and we didn’t quit when we got down.”

The teams meet again Feb. 11, possibly with the Century League title at stake.

LOOKING AHEAD

El Toro, ranked 10th in the county, has a tough home schedule this week. The Chargers play top-ranked Villa Park today and second-ranked Newport Harbor Friday.

Several of the county’s top teams, including Marina, Foothill, Capistrano Valley and Irvine, will play in the Santa Barbara tournament Friday and Saturday.

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