By Aspen McAdoo
The Ponte Vedra High School Girls Soccer team came into their match against the Bishop Moore Hornets looking to improve their 6-0-1 record on the season. The Sharks attacked early on taking a massive one goal advantage on the score from junior forward, Izzy Whitaker. The Hornets answered by scoring a goal of their own making the score 1-1 heading into the half. The Sharks were not satisfied with the tie score and they came out hot in the second half, scoring on senior midfielder, Abby Wooten’s long goal from outside the box, taking a commanding lead in the second half. The high-powered Sharks offense weren’t done with the scoring and added another goal from Whitaker on the assist from junior midfielder Morgan Bondra, giving the Sharks a dominating 3-1 win. Sophomore goalie Abby Kennedy had an outstanding game in goal racking up seven saves and allowing only one goal. This win increased the Sharks win streak to five games and improved their record to 7-0-1 on the season.
The Sharks came into this highly anticipated matchup against the Bartram Trail High both being ranked top 10 in the nation. Each team was looking to add a massive win to improve their resume’s and get a huge momentum boost. Coming into this game both teams knew it would be a back and forth battle and no team was able to gain an advantage in the first half, heading into the half at a 0-0 standstill. At the half, the Sharks emphasized the need to come out in the second half aggressive to try and gain the momentum but the Bears defense wouldn’t let that happen holding the Sharks to no goals in the second half. Kennedy made the extra effort racking up eight saves and allowing zero goals. This game proved to be a defensive battle with the final score ending in a 0-0 tie. This tie brought the Sharks record to 7-0-2 on the season.
“Losing these seniors is a tough loss but we are confident that younger players will step in and fill their shoes.”
Lulu Consunji (10)
Following their tie to Bartram Trail the Sharks looked to get back in the win column against the Fleming Island High School Golden Eagles. The Sharks started off hot scoring a goal early from senior forward, Jenny Dearie on the assist from Whitaker, giving the Sharks a 1-0. The Sharks added another goal late in the first half from Whitaker, which gave the Sharks a commanding 2-0 lead. The offensive attack of the Sharks added another goal from junior midfielder, Lila Jones, giving the Sharks a 3-0 lead. The Sharks added one more goal while the Golden Eagles added two which gave the Sharks a 4-2 win. This win put the Sharks back in the win column and improved their record to 8-0-2 on the season.
The Sharks will be losing two key seniors, Jenny Dearie and Abby Wooten as they will be graduating early and heading off to college. Sophomore defender Lulu Consunji said, “Losing these seniors is a tough loss but we are confident that younger players will step in and fill their shoes.” After winter break the Sharks will look to finish the regular season strong as they head into the playoffs.
Pictured: Abby Kennedy (10) diving to make a save. Photographed by Alex Fenney (@fenneysflics)
