With seniors forward Austinn Freeman and midfielder Lindsey Stirrat out due to injury, the Palo Alto girls’ varsity soccer team, 11-1-6 overall and 6-0-3 in their division, had a huge offensive gap to fill Friday against Homestead.
Still, the Vikings entered the game riding a 12-game unbeaten streak and were favored to win. Missed opportunities and questionable officiating added to Paly’s woes, however, and they ended the game in a hard fought 1-1 tie with the Mustangs ( 3-5-3 in divisional play).
Palo Alto came out strong. During the fifth minute of play junior forward Elle Burstein broke through the Mustang’s defense, but came just short of converting on a one-on-one opportunity with Homestead’s goalkeeper, who made a sprawling save that was cleared by a Mustang defender. Moments later in the ninth minute, senior co-captain Natalie Ferraiolo soared high to head a cross by sophomore Sarah Flamm, but the ball fell right into the Homestead keeper’s hands. Plays like this characterized the first half for the Vikings; the opportunities were there, but putting the ball in the back of the net was the problem.
“We couldn’t finish on the chances we got,” Burstein said.
A surprisingly stout Homestead defense also contributed to Paly’s inability to score in the first half. Mustang defenders, who had allowed opposing teams six goals in their past two games, played solidly against Paly’s offense. Freeman and Stirrat, who helped Paly score a league best of six goals in a game against Saratoga earlier this season, were sorely missed. The 0-0 score at halftime was misleading, however, as Paly controlled the tempo of most of the first half.
Coming out of halftime the tides turned against Paly. Seemingly moments after the second half began, Homestead’s Michelle Grabau unleashed a bullet across the box into the upper-left corner of the goal to notch the first score of the game and put the Mustangs up 1-0. Grabau’s tally was just the fifth goal the Viking defense has allowed all season.
From there, everything seemed to go Homestead’s way. Many of Paly’s attempts to move the ball downfield were nullified by offsides calls, some more controversial than others. Emotions ran high and Paly’s frustration began to show as the game became much more physical and the referee’s whistle was heard more frequently.
“It felt like we didn’t have control, we were all over the place,” said senior defender Tessa Buchin. “Once they [Homestead] scored, we panicked.”
On a pivotal play in the 55th minute, Burstein attempted to end Paly’s desperation when she blazed past Homestead’s defense in pursuit of a through ball. Burstein’s only obstacle was the goalie as she had another one-on-one, but referees called the play back, claiming that Burnstein had been offsides. The call did not sit well with much of Paly’s squad, many of whom openly denounced the referee’s judgment.
“The officiating was not the best we’ve seen,” Burstein said.
The game continued to grow more physical and it seemed only a matter of time until either team scored off of a set piece. In the 70th minute, Ferraiolo again put her head on a corner from junior Robin Chang. This time, the ball evaded the grasp of Homestead’s goalie and bounced in for the equalizer. A throng of elated teammates immediately surrounded Ferraiolo.
Both sides played with a sense of urgency during the final moments of the game, but neither team was able to score. Ferraiolo’s goal turned out to be the last of the game and the score was 1-1 as time expired.
Although with this tie Paly still remains unbeaten in the De Anza division, they are currently chasing division leader Los Gatos, which holds a league record of 7-0-4.
“We have to win our next three games to win league,” Burstein said. “I think we can pull it off… I have faith.”
The Lady Vikings will have to remain at the top of their game for the final leg of their regular season. They will play three games in a span of only four days this week, including two against cross-town rival Gunn (2-7-1 in league play).
Paly will next play at Mountain View at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.