By David A. Willauer

Contributing Writer
Oceanside CA— The Lady Wildcats of El Camino High School have improved their record 7-10 overall as Tanner Gates was the star of the show both in the nets, as she recorded 13 saves, and on the field recording 5 goals. However, the most important shot of her life was the game winner with 2:00 left in overtime as they defeated the Lady Highlanders of Helix Charter by a 6-5 score in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division II First Round Girls Lacrosse Tournament.
Teammate Camryn Guiao scored the first goal to put the Cats up 1-0. Teammate Jasmine Cabrera recorded 4 saves in the second half.
“There have been ups and downs every game but my squad came out with heart as it’s good to win this one in our second year of the program.” said Lady Wildcat Coach Krystle Santos. “I’ve learned a lot about our squad from last season and it’s good to see our girls advance into the quarter final round during the season as we played harder each game and scheduled a lot of Division I teams.” “First goal by Camryn Guiao as she saw the ball and posted around the defender as we have worked on in practice she got pushed and it went in.” “Tanner Gates is an amazing player as I can put her in at any position in the game and does everything that I tell her to do and she importantly helps us out to work on our draws and they were the factors in the game it works down knows how to duck down and the winning goal she did a good job.”
Tanner Gates on her game winning goal: ” It was a fun game in the first half being in the net was intimidating cause they (Helix) came hard but coming out of the net in the second half I had the opportunity to run up and down the field. ” “Courtney Robinson one of Helix players made a lot of outstanding shots while playing goalie, I did a lot of stumbling but used my feet to block the shot when I played attack I ran past everyone after my teammate Kaitlyn Jonasson won the draw she came down threw the ball to Vanessa DeLeonardis who fed the ball to me and I bought it was a 5 on 1 move the goalie was scared as I did a sidearm shot and the ball went in their net.”