The Palo Alto girls’ water polo team fell to the Los Gatos Wildcats 10-5 Thursday afternoon.

The Vikings got off to a slow start in the first quarter after losing the first sprint to the Wildcats. The Wildcats put the first goal on the scoreboard during the first three minutes of the game.

Following the goal Katie Francis (’16) was ejected, leaving the Vikings down a player with four minutes left in the first quarter. The Wildcats took advantage of this opportunity and scored with three minutes left in the quarter.

The goal was followed with another Viking ejection with two minutes left in the first period. During the last minute of the first quarter the Wildcats scored, which left the score 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Vikings started off the second period strong after they won the sprint, followed by a goal by Tess van Hulsen (’15) putting the Vikings on the scoreboard.

Soon the Wildcats responded with two goals in the last three minutes of the quarter, making the score 5-1 at the end of the first half.

The Wildcats were the first to score in the third quarter, with three goals against the Vikings. The Vikings respond with a goal from Izzy Kelly (’17) with 2 minutes left in the quarter. The score was 8-2 Wildcat’s at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter of the game was the Vikings’ highest scoring period with three goals from Olivia Scola (’15), van Hulsen and Francis. The Wildcats had two goals during this period making the final score of the game 10-5 Los Gatos.

Both coach and player’s voiced their opinions on the game and how they can improve for future games in the season.

“I thought we played well, we were competitive. Los Gatos is one of the top teams in the league and I thought the energy we showed, especially throughout the last seconds of the game was strong,” Coach Aileen Delany said.

Van Hulsen expressed her feelings about the game and areas to work on

“I was hoping for a victory, but I think that we came back at the end,” Van Hulsen said. “I think our offense needs to some work and we have to incorporate plays and different kinds of drives.”

The Vikings’ next game is next Tuesday against the Saratoga Falcons.