The Palo Alto Vikings girls’ varsity water polo team fell 8-3 to the Menlo Knights Saturday afternoon. The Vikings, playing their third game this week, fell behind early and never generated the offense to attempt a comeback.

Menlo scored two goals in the first five minutes, churning through Paly’s defense and taking several shots from two meters away. However, senior fielder Lizzie Abbott responded with a Viking goal to make the score 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Senior goalie Talia Kori made her fourth save of the game to stifle Menlo’s first drive of the second quarter, but the Knights recovered the ball seconds later on an offensive penalty that put Paly at a man down.

Menlo added its third goal on a close shot during the man-up period after passing over a tentative Paly defense. In the next two minutes, Menlo added two points to take a 5-1 lead, taking advantage of turnovers from several blocked Paly shots.

Junior fielder Tara Murao followed up with Paly’s second score with 1:41 left in the second quarter, but Menlo ended the half still leading by three goals.

“We were excited because this [game] was a chance to face a top-tier team,” Palo Alto coach Cory Olcott said.

According to Olcott, Paly tried to press more on defense in the second half. Paly attempted to cover Menlo’s fielders more closely and interfere with the Knights’ passing routes, trying to force turnovers and return the ball for a score.

“We were more aware of where to help [our defense],” Olcott said, “We talked a lot more and communicated better.”

But the effort failed as Menlo continued to build its lead, scoring twice more to make its lead 7-2. Senior center forward Jenny Whyte added Paly’s final offense effort as she scored with 2:17 left in the third quarter.

Menlo added one more goal in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, to win 8-3.

With senior fielders Amanda Wong and Hallie Kennan absent, Paly used some of its reserves to rest a starting lineup that had already played twice that week. Though the defense made fewer steals and allowed Menlo more shots at the goal, Olcott was happy that they had gained more in-game experience.

“We were excited because this was a chance to play some kids who don’t normally play a lot,” Olcott said.

The Vikings’ next game will be against the Mountain View Spartans at 5 p.m. Tuesday at home, followed by the junior varsity girls’ game at 6 p.m.