By Johnny Inama

Jan. 5 Update

     The Ponte Vedra high school boys soccer team came off a nearly month long break with a 6-1-3 record looking to pick up some wins to start off 2023. Their first game of the new year came against 4-1-2 Bishop Kenny high school. This game was senior night for the sharks, so it was a very important game to the veteran players on the team. The sharks had an explosive game with five goals scored with two from senior captain and midfielder, Andres Villasana. This continued an eight-game streak without a loss, and improved their record to 7-1-3 with a final score of 5-1.

     Just a day later on Jan. 6, the sharks faced a 4-9 Stanton high school, who were trying to snap a five-game losing streak. The sharks played another impressive game, and shut out Stanton with a final score of 4-0. Towards the end of the match, sophomore center back Noah Theisen entered the game. Junior winger Bobby Hitchcock made a nice pass, and Theisen finished it for their fourth goal. “It felt amazing and really made me happy to celebrate with my teammates,” said Theisen when asked how it felt to score his first goal on varsity. The sharks improved to 8-1-3 and will face a very skilled 11-2-1 Creekside high school.

Dec. 13 Update

   The Ponte Vedra High School boys soccer team played their eighth game of the season on Dec. 13 against Oakleaf High School, looking to pick up their fifth win on the season following two straight ties. The Sharks let up a goal to start off the game, and went into the half down one. They came out attacking and scored an astounding five goals in the second half, all scored by different players. They let up another goal in the second, but Oakleaf let the game slip with the firepower of the Sharks attackers and a final score of 5-2.

     A few days later on Dec. 16, the Sharks traveled for their third straight away game against Ridgeview High School. The Sharks came out firing this game with three goals in the first twenty minutes of play, and went into the half up three. The Sharks then came out of the half with another quick goal, and the game would end with a score of 4-0. “We wanted to get rolling before the game against Fleming Island,” said senior right back, Matthew McConn when asked about what the Sharks wanted to do following two ties. “The game against Fleming Island is a big district game,” said McConn. The Sharks improved their record to 6-1-2 with two straight wins, and now will look keep winning moving forward.