SHP boys open defense of WBAL soccer title

The Sacred Heart Prep boys’ soccer team defeated Menlo School twice last season on the way to finishing 12-1-1 in the West Bay Athletic League and claiming the title.

The Gators got their 2012 WBAL season under way in similar fashion with a 3-0 victory over the host Knights on Wednesday.

Isaac Polkinhorne scored in the eighth minute and added a second goal before halftime to spark the Gators. Robert Hellman made it 2-0 off a corner kick after assisting on Polkinhorne’s first goal while Andrew Liotta assisted on the final goal to give the Gators (1-0, 4-0-2) a solid cushion heading into the second half.

SHP keeper Max Polkinhorne was solid, coming way out of the cage in the first half to deny Menlo on a one-on-one.

In other boys’ soccer action Wednesday:

Palo Alto continued its struggles while dropping a 4-1 decision to visiting Homestead in a SCVAL De Anza Division opener on Wednesday. The Mustangs (1-0, 4-4-1) took the lead quickly with a three goals in the first 20 minutes, with their final goal coming midway in the second half.

Paly (0-1, 0-7-2) averted a shutout when junior Paul Stefanski took a pass down the left sideline and had a 1 on 1 with the Homestead keeper before finishing off the unassisted goal.

In the WBAL, Pinewood dropped a 5-1 decision to visiting Harker.

Girls’ soccer

Palo Alto opened its SCVAL De Anza Division season by rallying for a 1-1 deadlock with longtime nemesis Monta Vista in a match played at Homestead High on Wednesday.

The Matadors (0-0-1, 4-2-2) grabbed a 1-0 lead on a corner kick in the 10th minute and could have extended it 10 minutes later, but Paly keeper Erin Chang made a great save to keep the deficit at one goal.

After getting only four shots on goal in the first half, the Vikings (0-0-1, 2-2-3) came out in the second more aggressively. While a shot by Marina Foley was saved, the Vikings kept up the pressure and finally broke through a minute later when Katie Foug made a nice pass to Lily Seedman, who finished for the tying goal.

Both teams had their chances after that with Foley missing from the top of the 18-yard box. Paly’s Emy Kelty foiled Monta Vista’s final scoring opportunity by stealing the ball before time ran out. Chang finished with six saves.

Boys’ basketball

Palo Alto opened defense of its SCVAL De Anza Division title with a dominating defensive effort to shut down visiting Homestead, 46-20, on Wednesday night. It was the fewest points allowed by the Vikings (1-0, 10-1) this season. Senior Israel Hakim led Paly with 14 points while junior Aubrey Dawkins added 11 for the Vikings, who blanked the Mustangs in the third quarter.

In Sunnyvale, Menlo School used a 22-6 third quarter to roll to a 56-31 victory over the King’s Academy in a WBAL opener. The Knights held a 24-18 halftime lead, but the second half was a different story.

Menlo sophomore guard Bobby Roth had 13 points, converting a trio of three-pointers, and nailing a 75-foot buzzer-beater at the half. Double-teamed all night, senior Richard Harris still finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Will Miller added 10 points and senior forward Freddy Avis chipped in with eight as the Knights improved to 7-3 overall. Menlo visits Harker on Friday.

Girls’ basketball

Sacred Heart Prep gave up 49 points for the second straight game and, for the second straight time, it cost the Gators a victory as they dropped a 49-47 nonleague decision to San Mateo on Wednesday night.

SHP fell to Menlo-Atherton on Tuesday, 49-41. The Gators (8-4) gave up a last-second basket this time, erasing a solid effort that included eight 3-pointers — three by Kelsey Hemm. Amanda Suzuki led the way with 12 points while Hemm and Melissa Holland added 11 each.

● Go to PASportsOnline.com for more local sports coverage.

By Palo Alto Online Sports

By Palo Alto Online Sports

By Palo Alto Online Sports

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