Monday after school, the Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity Soccer team (3-3-6, 1-2-3 League) lost to Los Gatos High School (12-0-1, 6-0-0 League) in a close game of 1-0.
The Wildcats scored their point about half way through the second half in a constant battle that took place on both sides of the field.
Paly started off in the first half and quickly brought the ball toward the Wildcats’ goal. Los Gatos’ defense held strong and pushed the ball back toward the center of the field. The ball was kicked back and forth during the half as both teams’ defenses kept the offense at bay.
Midfielder Sunny Lyu (’14) managed to pull off a shot at Los Gatos’ goal but was a little off. Los Gatos goalie Maddy Call (’12) kicked the ball down the field bringing it back into Viking territory. The Wildcats made their way closer and closer to the goal eventually leading to the ball being kicked out of bounds for a corner kick. However, the ball was then quickly kicked into Los Gatos’ territory and forward Hannah Totte (’12) made a run for the goal but was blocked by Call. Both teams pulled off several more attempts to score as the half came to an end.
Totte, who had a couple other attempts at the goal during the game, believes they need to work on their offense.
“Next time, I think we need to be more offensive minded,” Totte said.
Paly defenders Emy Kelty (’12) and Julia Kwasnick (’14) had a busy first half keeping the Wildcat offense out of their goal.
Los Gatos began the second half by bringing the ball swiftly towards the the Viking goal. Kwasnick knocked it out to give the Wildcats a corner kick. The ball was passed into the jumble of defenders and forwards, threatening to slip in to the Viking goal but goalie Erin Chang (’13) saved the ball and sent it back up field.
A Los Gatos free kick leads to a very close shot by Wildcat defender Angela Karamanos (’14). After another free kick by the Wildcats, midfielder Hannah Rosenberg scored the game’s only goal with about 23 minutes remaining.
Paly countered with two unsuccessful shots by forward Mayssen Labidi (’12) and Lyu. Rosenberg took a cross field shot at the goal which was caught by Chang. The game came to an end with a 1-0 victory by Los Gatos.
Los Gatos head coach Staphanie Pearson knew that Paly was a tough team and that the girls really played well.
“I think the girls really battled,” Pearson said. “It was a difficult match and Palo Alto is a difficult team, and I think they stepped up to that really well.”
Although Palo Alto head coach Kurt Devlin knew Los Gatos was 13th (according to maxpreps.com) in the nation, he did not expect to lose.
“We did pretty well overall,” Devlin said. “However, we gave up a goal on a set play.”
Coach Devlin believes they will have to work on their defense or offense, whichever gets them to Central Coast Section playoffs.
The Lady Vikes will play the Wildcats again on their senior night on Feb. 15.
