The Palo Alto High School varsity boys’ soccer team (0-6-2) suffered a heavy loss in its first league game of the season, falling 4-1 to Homestead High School (3-3-1) today, at home.
The Vikings found themselves in a big deficit from the beginning with Homestead scored three times in the first half, striking twice early on and once soon before halftime.
After getting out to an early two-goal lead, Homestead continued to dictate play, dominating possession for the first half. Minutes before halftime, Homestead snatched a third goal as junior Paly goalkeeper Gen Murphy Shigematsu failed to keep a shot from crossing the line.
In the second half, Paly started to show signs of life, attacking more aggressively than before. However, it was Homestead which next added to the scoreboard, scoring its fourth goal of the game and sealing the victory.
Junior forward Paul Stefanski scored a late goal to provide some consolation for the winless Vikings as their dry streak extended to eight games running.
“It was disappointing to start the [league] season off on that note,” junior captain and defender Alex Chin said, “But it’s still early in the season and there is a lot we can improve on.”
Paly’s other captain, junior midfielder Kirby Gee, echoed Chin’s thoughts. Gee is one of the few players on the roster with previous varsity experience, having joined last year’s team for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“We have a really inexperienced team so it will take us some time to improve,” Gee said. “We’re working hard though, so I’m sure we’ll start getting better results as the season goes on.”
Paly’s next game is at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, when the Vikings visit reigning league champion Mountain View High School.