In the final home game before the Central Coast Section Playoffs, the Palo Alto High School boys’ lacrosse team (8-7) defeated the Hillsdale High School Fighting Knights (6-10), 5-3, with a standout third-quarter surge Tuesday night at home.
The Vikings have completed all their league games, placing them second in the Peninsula-Bay League behind Menlo Atherton (12-2), and are set to play in the CCS playoffs against the Priory Panthers (11-2) at 10 a.m. Saturday at Woodside Priory.
Knights head coach Kevin McAnerney said his team came in prepared to make a statement.
“The mindset was to upset the Senior Night for these guys and get some revenge,” McAnerney said. “We’ve had a lot of close games this season, so we wanted to capitalize on this one.”
The two teams battled for a 2-2 tie at half, but then the Vikings made their move. Driven by the urgency to build a gap, they dominated the third quarter. Viking senior Milo Sabina scored first, followed by Viking senior Sam Ewen capitalizing on an assist from Viking senior Sam Helft and a third goal from Viking freshman Luke Dymmel.
According to Viking head coach Edward Hattler, his team improved during the second half.
“We had a lousy first half,” Hattler said. “We left these guys in the game when we should be beating them, and we played a much better second half.”
McAnerney said the Knights were continually dominant on defense.
“Our defense stood tall,” McAnerney said. “They [Knights] had the ball what, 80% of the time? They were pretty aggressive, keeping them [Palo Alto] out of the goal most of the game.”
Despite a fourth-quarter goal by Hillsdale, by Knight senior Charlie Aguirre with one minute left on the clock, the Vikings stayed in the lead, ending the game 5-3.
According to Viking senior Oliver Chancellor, the Vikings’ mindset negatively impacted their performance.
“As a team, we went into the game as if it was a lock, as if we’re winning,” Chancellor said. “We’re talking about what games we’re gonna play fourth quarter, and how we’re gonna switch around. And that attitude led us to be down at a point which should have never happened.”
Helft said the Knights put up a fight.
“They were really intense,” Helft said. “They were matching our intensity, working really hard, and running up and down the field with us.”
