By Henry Weitz

Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Boys Soccer returned to the Shark Tank where they played their second regular season match against the undefeated St. Augustine High School (SAHS) Yellow Jackets on Nov. 11. The Sharks won big against Duval Charter 8-0 on Nov. 3 and look for another big win against a district team. PVHS clobbered Duval Charter highlighted by a hat-trick from senior, Antonio Mahfuz. The Yellow Jackets had beaten Clay High School on Nov. 3 and Taylor High School on Nov. 6 as SAHS outscored their opponents 13-2 combined. The match remained in a stalemate through the first half at 0-0. Late in the second half, senior, Nick Churchill sent the Yellow Jackets home with a goal that sealed the win for PVHS. This scrappy 1-0 win for the Sharks improves their record to 2-0 on the season with a big game against Bartram Trail High School on Nov. 13.

On Nov. 13, PVHS took on the Bartram Trail High School (BTHS) Bears at the Shark Tank for the Sharks third regular season match. The Bears entered the night at 2-1 overall with a loss to Mandarin High School just two nights before on Nov. 11. Senior, Mahfuz got the offense going for the Sharks with a penalty kick giving VHS the advantage. Not long after the Sharks scored again with junior, Noah Ostfeld who boosted the Sharks to an early 2-0 lead. The Sharks spent most of the half on attack and did not allow the Bears to gain possession. Towards the end of the half the Bears were awarded a penalty kick where BTHS scored and closed the scoring margin to one goal at 2-1. In the closing minutes of the first half, Churchill subbed in and quickly made his presence known with a quick score to quiet the Bears before halftime. After halftime the Sharks picked up right where they left off and prevented the Bears from getting a spark on offense. Especially senior defenders, JP Laverde and Pascal Rocha who kept the BTHS offense at bay. Mahfuz sealed the game with a free kick from just outside the box to extend the Sharks lead to 4-1. The Sharks conceded a goal in the final minutes which ended the match at 4-2, and a Sharks win. Senior midfielder, Brayden Sandoval said, “It feels great to start the season 3-0. We’ve put in a lot of work, and it’s showing on the field. The big thing now is staying focused, staying humble, and keeping the same energy every week. With the green team coming up this week, we know we have to lock in even more and execute at a high level.” PVHS moved to 3-0 on the season.

The Sharks hosted Nease High School on Nov. 20 in the Shark Tank for a highly anticipated rivalry matchup against the Panthers. PVHS is coming off two big wins in the week prior against district teams SAHS and BTHS. The first half was very slow for the Sharks. Both teams struggled to gain any traction past midfield and the Sharks remained tied with the Panthers at half time. In the second half, the Sharks continued to try to find a spark on offense. With twenty minutes left in the game Mahfuz connected with Ostfeld to put PVHS on the board. The Panthers quickly charged downfield towards senior goalkeeper, Keegan Cornett. Cornett laid out for a huge save and kept the score at 1-0. The Sharks returned to offense with a swift goal from Churchill to increase the Sharks lead to 2-0. Senior, Oliver Minch was fouled in the Panthers box and was granted a penalty kick. Minch capitalized and buried the shot near the left post to end the game at 3-0 in favor of PVHS. The Sharks send NHS home scoreless and improve to 4-0 with their first away game against Fleming Island High School on Dec. 1. 

Pictured: Charlie Itkoff dribbling upfield (picture taken by Amy Cornett)