The Palo Alto High School varsity girls’ soccer team (4-2-1) tied local powerhouse Menlo School 1-1 Tuesday night, Jan. 5, in a pre-season home game that boosted the team’s confidence for the regular season.

The score was tied 0-0 at the end of an intense first half, thanks in part to strong performances by goalies on both sides. However, the ball tended to remain on Menlo’s side of the field.

“We definitely dominated and kept the ball on their half,” junior defense Gracie Cain said.

Paly continued to control the ball in the second half, keeping Menlo players on the defensive and taking several aggressive shots on the Menlo goal. Palo Alto was finally able to get on the scoreboard when junior defender Mira Ahmed accurately passed to senior forward Kelly Jenks, who managed to tip the ball past the Menlo goalie into the right corner of the goal.

Menlo was quick to tie the score after the Vikings’ goal. After several breakaways and back and forth play from both teams, skillful passing from Menlo players placed Menlo in scoring position. Menlo’s right forward pelted the ball past Paly goalie Alex Kershner and into the upper right corner to tie the score.

“They scored because they got behind our defense and I was caught cheating a little bit off my line,” Kershner said.

Paly head coach Ernesto Cruz was happy with the the team’s performance and expressed optimism for the regular season, which begins next week.

“The girls are doing a very good job,” Cruz said. “I’m really excited about this season. There are a few positions that we are still working out, but those girls can really do a lot out there.”

Many Viking players were satisfied with the outcome of the game, though they were close to a win.

“We’d love to have a win, but I’m happy with a tie,” Cain said.

Junior defender Hannah Ohlson echoed Cain’s statement.

“We played really well, but it’s a bummer they scored,” Ohlson said.

Menlo head coach Donoson Fitzgerald indicated that Menlo was also pleased with the outcome of the game.

“It was a great game,” Fitzgerald said. “Paly’s a really strong team, and we battled them.”

After winning the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League title last year and placing second in the Central Coast Section Playoffs, Palo Alto hopes to repeat its strong performance. The Vikings look to continue their preseason success when they open the league play against Gunn High School at 3:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Paly’s El Camino field.