Dream Teamers sign on the dotted line

CdM’s Tom Money and Tars’ Brett Auer pick schools, as does Sailors’ soccer player Krystal Wright.Two of the Daily Pilot’s Dream Team selections in boys’ water polo have made their college choices.

Corona del Mar High’s Tom Money signed a national letter of intent with USC. Newport Harbor’s Brett Auer signed with Pepperdine University on Feb. 2, the second day of the signing period for water polo.

In addition, Newport Harbor girls’ soccer player Krystal Wright has signed with Southeastern Louisiana University.

Money was a Daily Pilot Dream Team selection and made the CIF Southern Section Division I first team. He was also the Pacific Coast League’s most valuable player and a California-Hawaii All-America second-team pick. The Sea Kings captain scored 87 goals in 2005 and led Corona del Mar with 51 steals.

An Eagle Scout, Money joins a USC team that won the NCAA championship last season. The Trojans, who have Newport Harbor grad Jovan Vranes on their roster, went 26-1 last season.

“I applied to USC, but I didn’t even know they were interested in me until after our semifinal game,” said Money, referring to the Sea Kings’ loss to Newport Harbor in the Division I semifinals. “They’ve always been a top-three program in water polo and they were my No. 1 and No. 2 choice.”

Money also considered UC Santa Barbara and Loyola Marymount before choosing USC.

Auer was the leading goal-scorer for the Sailors, who advanced to the Division I final before losing to Long Beach Wilson. An All-CIF and All-Sea View League first-team choice, he scored 72 goals for Newport Harbor.

Auer, who was a California-Hawaii All-America third-team selection, also considered Brown, UC Santa Barbara and USC before picking the Waves.

“I almost wanted a bigger school [than Pepperdine], but this fit my personality,” Auer said. “When I added up all the positives and negatives, Pepperdine was still ahead of all the other schools.”

Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said he felt the Waves were an ideal destination for Auer.

“I think it’s a good fit for him,” Lynch said. “It’s a smaller school, a beach environment like what he’s used to here in Newport. I think it was his best choice.

“It’s a place where he could really excel if he chooses to.”

Pepperdine went 18-11 last season, finishing seventh at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament.

Wright is a four-year starter for the Sailors, earning All-Sea View League second-team honors as a junior. She chose Southeastern Louisiana after visiting the school’s campus in Hammond, La., citing the school’s kinesiology program.

Wright also considered Cal State Fullerton -- whose assistant coach Demian Brown is her club coach with the OJSC Northstars -- Louisiana State, Wisconsin and Western Carolina.

“I really wanted a change,” Wright said. “I wanted to see the different style they have over there in soccer and in general.”

The Lions went 3-10-1 last season, finishing seventh in the Southland Conference.

* Natalie Venegas contributed to this story.

20060208inx1xrknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Corona del Mar High’s Tom Money signed a national letter of intent with USC.