Andrew Zhao
Viking senior Sam Ewen fights for the ball in the game against Hillsdale Knights Tuesday night at home. According to Viking senior Turner McFarland, he appreciated the support from the crowd. "This game was special because it's our last home game, except for the playoffs if you make it," McFarland said. "It's nice to see all our friends and family come out."
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.”