Irvine Invitational Draws Elite Field

The Irvine Southern California Invitational, which begins today at Lake Forest El Toro, Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar highs and Saddleback College, has played a major role in the emergence of girls’ water polo in the Southland.

The first tournament was held in the fall of 1995, more than a year before the Southern Section sanctioned the sport.

In the inaugural championship game, Robin Beauregard, a member of the U.S. women’s national team, scored seven goals, including the winner in a third sudden-death overtime, to give Huntington Beach Marina an 8-7 victory over Long Beach Wilson.

One of the early powers in girls’ water polo was Bell Gardens, which won 85 consecutive games before losing, 5-4, to Santa Ana Foothill in the 2001 tournament final.

Foothill has won three consecutive Division I titles and has a 24-game winning streak entering today’s opening-round game against Manhattan Beach Mira Costa at El Toro.

Foothill’s last loss was to Santa Margarita, 7-6, in the semifinals of last year’s tournament. The Eagles defeated Corona del Mar, 10-4, in the championship game.

The only team to win the tournament more than once was Santa Barbara, which took home titles in 1999 and 2000.

Eight of the top 10 teams in The Times’ rankings are entered in the 32-team tournament this year. The title game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona del Mar.

-- Dan Arritt

The Lake Forest El Toro girls’ soccer team, forced to forfeit four victories, including three in league, and a tie because of an ineligible player, has learned the Southern Section will restore three league victories, Coach Kevin Otsugi said.

As a result of the ruling, El Toro (7-6-3, 3-2-2 in South Coast League play) moves from fifth to third place in league. The Eagles will forfeit a league victory to Dana Point Dana Hills as well as three nonleague victories.

-- Lauren Peterson

Katie Wright, a goalkeeper for the Mission Viejo girls’ soccer team, has committed to Nebraska and Michelle Gleason, a Lake Forest El Toro girls’ soccer player, has committed to UCLA.