Boys win, girls lose in Kansas

Each of the Newport Beach-based Slammers FC under-16 boys’ and under-17 girls’ teams opened play at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships on Wednesday in Overland Park, Kan.

The boys won their first match, getting a 1-0 victory against Waza FC 94 Black from Michigan. Goalkeeper Connor Gaal, a player on the Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team, helped the Slammers record the shutout.

The girls fell to the SoCal Blues, 3-0. This is the team’s third appearance in this tournament in the past four seasons.

George Larsen, the boys’ soccer coach at CdM, coaches both the Slammers teams. Larsen is the only coach at the five-day tournament guiding two teams.

The boys return to action today against the Blast FC from Ohio at 6 a.m. A victory will help the Slammers’ chances of making the final on Sunday. They earned three points for Wednesday’s win.

The girls play the Michigan Hawks 93 from Michigan today at 8 a.m. They need a victory to get back in contention.

— From staff reports

Harbor fund-raiser

The Newport Harbor High football boosters will have a poker tournament Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club in Costa Mesa.

The poker tournament is Texas Hold’em, $100 per person. Players receive $1,000 pseudo money in chips.

There will be raffle drawings. Dinner will be provided by the Arches, and beer and wine will be served, as included with the $100 fee.

For additional information, call (949) 515-1707.

— From staff reports