The Palo Alto High School boys’ water polo team lost in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs to Bellarmine College Preparatory, 12-4, this Saturday at Monta Vista High School.

The Vikings were missing starting two meter defender Aaron Zelinger (‘12) due to an injury he sustained last game. The Bells used this to their advantage, as Zelinger was one of the key players they hoped to shutdown according to head coach Larry Rogers.

“[Not having Zelinger] was a tough break for us and we wish him the best,” Paly assistant coach Craig Rockhold said. “Not having him in the water playing two meter defense forced another guy to play defense on the perimeter. That’s what hurts.”

The Bells dominated the first quarter of the game, scoring five goals in the seven minute quarter. Bellarmine benefited from strong counter attacks and solid defensive play.

“We were able to take away their two main presses (No. 2, Ken Wattana (‘11) and No. 14 Bret Pinsker (‘13), Rogers said. “We capitalized the most off of our counterattack, we scored there, and we played really good defense today.”

The second quarter continued in the same way, with the Vikings’ only goal coming from Ken Wattana early on. Bellarmine drew two five meter shots and scored one, while Paly goalie Daniel Armitano (‘11) saved the other. Halftime arrived with the score resting at 8-1 in Bellarmine’s favor.

“We had a game plan and we didn’t really stick to it,” Wattana said. “[Our game plan was] to try to drop and go into a “M” drop and split, but they kind of found some holes and some shots from real deep, so it didn’t really work.”

The Vikings were able to slow down Bellarmine’s press in the third quarter, only allowing two goals and adding one of their own, on a shot from Wattana finding the back of the net with only 13 seconds remaining.

The Vikings continued to pick up their play in the fourth quarter. Bellarmine only scored two goals in the beginning of the quarter, and two meter Quinn Rockwell (‘13) was able to score two goals later on making the final score 12-4.

As the team closes the season, the seniors feel nostalgic about ending their high school careers at Paly.

“I’m gonna miss the team, gonna miss my cap, gonna miss playing in general, but it had to end sometime,” Wattana said.

The Vikings are losing seniors Ken Wattana, Josh Rapperport, Jack Smale and Marcos Motta.