The Palo Alto boys’ water polo team lost its home game against Monta Vista High School, 10-4, on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The Vikings got off to a slow start on the offensive end while containing the Monta Vista Matadors on defense. At the end of the first quarter, the Matadors were up 0-1, with the Vikings having trouble finding the net.

“We were flat on offense,” senior captain Bobby Abbott said. “We just couldn’t get anything going.”

The Vikings changed up their defense in the second quarter from a press to a 2-4 gap to try to minimize the shots from set. They continued to play solid defense against the Matadors’ relentless offense.

Paly failed to score until the end of the first half, when junior Ken Wattana scored off of a penalty shot granted to the Vikings on a brutality call on the Matadors. Paly also had a 6-on-5 opportunity that they neglected to capitalize on. Wattana’s shot made the score 1-3 at the half.

Coming off of the lost sprint, Paly seemed defeated and started to lose gumption on defense. The Matadors went on a four-goal scoring streak, ending with a breakaway backhand goal at seven seconds left to end the third quarter.

“I don’t think our heads were in the game,” sophomore goalie Daniel Armitano said. “People weren’t guarding when they were supposed to be, or they were running the wrong defense. I think there was just an overall lack of communication in the water.”

The Vikings rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring three goals, but it proved to be too little too late with the game ending at 4-10.

Despite their strong finish, the team was not happy with its performance.

“We weren’t working as a team. And we all have to help Bobby [Abbott] out, and be shooters when he can’t be,” sophomore Aaron Zelinger said.

Head coach Giovani Napolitano had similar sentiments.

“We didn’t play very well, and we need to work on getting more confidence as a team.” Napolitano said.

Paly will play at Homestead High School at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.