The Palo Alto High School girls’ soccer team (4-5) lost to Monta Vista 2-0 Wednesday afternoon in its second league game of the season. The team’s difficulty with connecting passes and finishing shots was a deciding factor in the loss.

“I believe we didn’t make the right passes, and I think [Monta Vista’s] defense did a good job with their midfielders,” Paly head coach Ernesto Cruz said.

Though it’s only the second league game, Cruz predicts the season is going to be an uphill battle.

“Every team that we play against in our league is tough,” he said. “We beat Homestead, Homestead beat [Monta Vista], and now Monta Vista beat us. And that’s how it’s gonna be. We prepare to do our best; we practice a lot,” Cruz said.

Despite a scoreless first half, Monta Vista came charging out of the gates in the second half with a goal by Cheryl Tom (’11) in the opening two minutes, and another from Tom with two minutes left in the game. Toms’ goals plus a solid defensive effort highlighted Monta Vista’s victory.

“We were connecting passes and getting behind the defense for most of the game, and our defenders played well,” Tom said. “[Paly] played decent the whole time; they actually had been getting behind us but they just couldn’t finish.”

After the game senior captain and goalie Alex Kershner (’11) noted the importance of both a strong offensive and defensive effort in winning games.

“If we score, we pump ourselves up and usually win the game,” she said. “If we don’t score, our defense has to be perfect, [and] little mistakes can cost us the game.”

In their next match, the Lady Vikes will travel to Gunn High School on Friday, Jan. 14 at 6:00 p.m. to face their cross-town rivals.