Jamie GardinerSchool: Sunny HillsSport: SoccerPosition: ForwardClass: SeniorDuring...

Jamie Gardiner

School: Sunny Hills

Sport: Soccer

Position: Forward

Class: Senior

During her first three seasons on the Sunny Hills girls’ soccer team, Gardiner played defense for the Lancers. But after the graduation of leading scorer Heidi Gugler left a void, Gardiner made the switch this season to forward. Kenn Gordon, who co-coaches Sunny Hills with his son, Jeff, said Gardiner was confident she could make the switch--”The first thing she said to me was, ‘Coach I’ve played defense all my life, I know what a forward is supposed to do.’ ” Gardiner figured right. She has scored 29 goals this season, a total that surpassed the school record of 25 shared by Gugler and Jill Hendry. Last week, she helped account for each of Sunny Hills’ six goals in two victories that moved the Lancers closer to an outright league title. Tuesday, Gardiner had two goals and an assist in a 3-0 victory over La Habra, which moved the Lancers (15-2-2, 7-0-1) out of a first-place tie with the Highlanders. Thursday, she had three goals in a 3-0 victory over third-place Sonora.

Other top performers:

Deana Itow, who had 10 points, 16 assists and 10 steals in Huntington Beach’s 79-47 victory over Rosary and had 19 points and 12 assists in a 69-49 victory over Fountain Valley.

Kim McKay, who scored the only goal in Capistrano Valley’s 1-0 soccer victory over No. 1-ranked El Toro and two goals in a 3-0 victory over San Clemente.

Maureen Skehan, who had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 15 steals in Villa Park’s 63-13 victory over Foothill and 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 assists in a 62-28 victory over Orange.

Tina Thompson, who had six saves in Canyon’s 1-0 soccer victory over El Modena. Thompson, who has not allowed a goal in eight Century League games, has 17 shutouts this season.