LOCAL NOTES

Mexico’s national women’s soccer team will meet the Mirage, the under-18 team of the Mission Viejo Soccer Club, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mission Viejo High.

The Mexican national team is preparing for its match against the U.S. national team on March 28 at the Rose Bowl.

The Mirage, which has won the California Youth Soccer Assn. State Cup tournament six times, features three players on the U.S. national girls’ under-18 team: Lauren Orlandos (El Toro High), Allyson Marquand (University High) and Natalie Spielger.

Admission Saturday is free.

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The UC Irvine women’s soccer team has signed nine players, Coach Marine Cano said Thursday.

Committing to the Anteaters were goalkeeper Allison Merrick (Santa Barbara College), defender Mary Peters (Orange Coast College), defender Melody Mangrello (Fountain Valley High), defender Tara Blankenberg (San Ramon California High), midfielder Gina Hintz (El Toro High), midfielder Arianna Downs (Thomas Jefferson (Wash.) High), midfielder Janelle Doyle (Newport Harbor High), midfielder Robin Piotrowski (San Dimas High) and forward Brittny Zimmerman (La Canada High).

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Nick Pacelli of Villa Park has signed to play water polo at UCLA, his mother, Jeanne, said.

Pacelli, The Times Orange County player of the year, had a school-record 129 goals last fall when he helped the Spartans reach the second round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Pacelli turned down offers from UC Santa Barbara, where his brother, Joey, plays, and California.

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Mario Gonzalez, a 1998 graduate of Santa Ana High, has signed to play soccer at Tulane, Santa Ana Coach Manny Penaflor said.