The Palo Alto High School boys’ soccer team (2-0-0, 0-0-0) triumphed over the Carlmont High School Scots (1-0-1, 0-0-0) 2-1 yesterday at Paly in a preseason match.
In the first half, Paly sophomore outside midfielder Kenzo Morabia scored the first goal by finishing a cross from senior center midfielder Jack Stoksik. Stoksik dribbled down the left sideline and around multiple defenders, then passed center to Morabia. Soon after, a Carlmont forward chipped the ball over Paly junior goalkeeper Kiran Misner as he ran out to try to stop the attack. After some more attacks on goal and strong defensive play from both sides, the Vikings took the lead again. Sophomore outside midfielder Marco Tan crossed the ball to Morabia for another goal. The first half ended with a score of 2-1.
“At the beginning, we were moving the ball around really well and using the field,” head coach Don Briggs said.
The second half was much less eventful, with no goals scored. Although both teams had chances on goal, neither were able to put the ball in the net.
“We definitely had a better first half,” Briggs said. “We had a lot of opportunities [in the second half], we just didn’t quite put it [the ball] away. We had chances in the second half where, if we put it away, the game would’ve been over.”
The Vikings had matches on both Tuesday and Wednesday, which Briggs suspects caused the team to fatigue later on in the game.
“Yesterday’s game took a little bit of a toll on us,” Briggs said. “We seemed a little tired and weren’t moving quite as well. We had guys cramping up, which usually means more conditioning [is needed]. That made the second half tougher.”
According to Morabia, Paly’s effort showed through its consistent contact throughout the match.
“We had a lot of passion and determination toward the end of the game,” Morabia said. “I think that’s what won us the game.”
Senior center defender and captain Neil Verwillow says that the lack of attack in the second half was executed in an effort to preserve Paly’s lead.
“We didn’t have much offensive thrust in the second half,” Verwillow said. “After half time, we wanted to preserve the lead rather than extending it.”
Next up, the Vikings will face Lincoln High School at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Homestead High School Stadium.