February 15, 2026

Written by Dave Smith

ALTA LOMA:   The Lady Wolves ( 17-7-6) played another 100-minute classic in the second round of the CIF Division 2 playoffs. Coming into the game facing the undefeated hacienda league champions who were riding a 10-game winning streak while score 42 goals and allowing only 6 during the streak, we knew it was going to be a great challenge.

In the first half, Alta Loma put up a sustained attack in front of their home fans. The King defense worked together as a unit and was able to keep the score at 0-0 in the first half.

In the second half, the King attack picked up and some scoring opportunities presented themselves, but the Alta Loma goalkeeper was up for the challenge.

With the score tied at 0-0 in regulation, the King girls played two more overtime periods. With the momentum turning King’s way late in the game, the overtime was dominated by the passing and energy of the King players. With neither team able to score in overtime, the King girls were going to have their second consecutive game decided by penalty kicks.

Alta Loma went first and made their first shot to make it 1-0. Senior Angelina Enriquez made her attempt to even the score at 1-1. The next Alta Loma kicker made her shot to give them a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Lucy Allen stepped up and buried her shot to tie it again at 2-2. The next Alta Loma kicker had her shot blocked by goalkeeper Lauren Henry. Unfortunately, the referee believed Lauren left her spot early and allowed the player to kick again. Her second attempt sailed high and kept the score at 2-2. Kayden Wallace was the next King shooter. Her shot missed the target and the score remained 2-2.

The Alta Loma’s fourth Kicker’s attempt was blocked by Lauren to keep the score tied. Sophomore Olivia Tapia was again asked to come up big for her team and she answered by calmly placing the ball in the right corner of the net. With one last Alta Loma kicker the difference between advancing or continuing to kick, the ball was shot directly toward Lauren, who fell on it for the victory.

First year goalkeeper Lauren Henry had a career defining effort in our shutout today. She made eight saves during the game in addition to two more blocks of penalty kicks after the overtime period. I believe that this experience will give Lauren the confidence to trust her abilities and to continue working hard to become the best version of herself possible.

I had told the girls before the game that I was asking something from them I had never done this season. I told the defense I wanted a shutout. I knew with the success Alta Loma had with their scoring, if we could shut them out, we could test them like they had never been tested this season. The defense answered the challenge and played a phenomenal game. They had great communication with each other and played hard for each other.

It was another testament to the heart of the team as they faced adversity all night and did not break. They played together and for each other and it showed in the result tonight

Captain Samantha McWaters said after the game, “I am incredibly proud of the performance that we had today, we played an incredibly strong defense line that pulled a shutout. Now we approach the quarterfinals with drive and determination>”