Paly’s varsity girls’ lacrosse team kicked off its season with an impressive 6-2 victory over Gunn High School amid the pouring rain on Tuesday evening.

“We did amazing,” junior center Emily Fowler said. “Last year we lost, 10-0. We’re a completely different team.”

Though both teams played aggressively and attempted many shots, the Vikings had exceptional offense and defense throughout the game and ultimately landed and blocked the most shots.

The first successful shot of the night came from senior co-captain Helene Zahoudanis, who intercepted a Gunn pass and scored in the first ten minutes.

Shortly after, it began to rain.

“It was hard because your hands are slick and wet,” Zahoudanis said. “It’s part of the game. You have to play through it.”

Gunn regained control of the ball, but sophomore Paly defender Hannah Ohlson scooped it off the ground and passed it up the field. Junior Emily Fowler scored the second Paly goal just six minutes after Zahoudanis’ goal. The ball returned to Gunn, and Titan senior Kelsey Cranmer-Brown scored Gunn’s first goal soon after, bringing the score to 2-1.

Paly continued its aggressive offense, attempting multiple shots before Zahoudanis and junior Maya Fielder received yellow cards at the end of the first half.

“The referees handled the game well,” Paly head coach Jen Gray said. “They called things well to keep control. It was a good lesson to learn.”

Because of Zahoudanis’ and Fielder’s yellow cards and a new ruling that prohibits substitutes, Paly began the second half short by two players.

Nevertheless, the Vikings seized control of the game when freshman Kimmie Flather and senior co-captain Caroline Lucas-Conwell bagged goals immediately. After several unsuccessful shots from both Paly and Gunn, the Vikings broke through the Titan defense. Ohlson scored another Paly goal, bringing the score to 5-1 and continuing a Paly offensive streak.

“Our attack was really good,” sophomore Emily Benatar said. “We practiced playing and working together, and everyone did really great.”

For the next few minutes, Paly held onto its offensive position until Gunn burst though its line. Seconds after senior Anna Bastidas, Paly goalie and team co-captain, blocked a shot, Cramner-Brown scored Gunn’s final goal.

Paly regained possession as the play intensified. Gunn fouled junior Mari Wilson within eight meters of the goal, and Wilson scored another goal for Paly with her penalty shot. The Titans attempted two more shots and received a yellow card before the game ended.

“Gunn played well, especially in the rain,” Gray said. “They just weren’t expecting us.”

According to Gray, the Vikings played exceptionally well themselves.

“Everyone did something awesome,” Gray said. “The game went awesome.”

However, Gray said that the team needs to work on shot selection and that the Vikings were a little too tight in the beginning of the game because of the rain.

Benatar attributes the win to the dedication and competitiveness of the players.

“We really wanted to win,” Benatar said. “We really challenged a lot of fifty-fifties and ground balls and made a lot of shots.”

According to Zahoudanis, the team’s attitude helped it pull through during Tuesday’s game.

“We were aggressive and pumped,” Zahoudanis said. “We came in as the underdogs, but we have a lot of heart.”

The varsity team will play its next game against Woodside High School at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Woodside.