In dominating fashion, the Palo Alto High School girls’ soccer team (7-0, 2-0) shut down the Los Gatos Wildcats (3-6-1, 1-1) 3-0 in its first Santa Clara Valley Athletic, De Anza league game of the season.

A first-half goal by Vikings senior left back Jacey Pederson gave the Vikings the lead, ending the constant struggle to score on multiple opportunities earlier in the match. This first goal gave the team momentum to add two more goals by junior Natalie Maloney and senior Alison Lu.

Vikings Junior mid-fielder Tess Preising recalls the struggle to keep the shots on goal throughout the match.

“I think we played very well, we were in their box most of the game but we had a lot of chances that we didn’t follow through with,” Preising said. “We definitely need to work on our shots because a lot of them were off-frame.”

Vikings Senior forward Heidi Moeser wants the team to focus on what they can improve, in order to maintain what is already a fantastic start.

“We need to work on moving off the ball and getting open, and just playing the simple ball,” Moeser said.

The team’s next match will take place from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 against Milpitas High School. The Paly girls’ varsity soccer team looks forward to a promising season.