By Rocco Garcia

The Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Sharks traveled to Tocoi Creek High School to take on the Toros on Dec. 3. The Sharks started off extremely quick and scored within the first two minutes of the game with senior striker, Thomas Ardnt. The Sharks defense played lights out for the remainder of the half highlighting junior keeper, Keegan Cornett and junior outside back Alec Perry. The Sharks entered the half up 1-0 with anticipation of going home with a statement win against the Toros. The Sharks ended the half scoreless until Arndt scored again for the second time making the final score 2-0 in favor of the Sharks. The boys defense played lights out once again pitching another shutout for the year. The Sharks will bring their talent back home to host a very impressive Fleming Island High School Eagles team on Dec. 5.

            Following that win, the Sharks took on the number ten team in the nation, Fleming Island, with efforts of stunning the Eagles and making a statement win. The Sharks were playing fantastic defense until they fouled an Eagles player outside the penalty box which forced a free kick for the Eagles, leading to an impressive free kick outside the 18 to advance the Eagles to a 1-0 score. The Sharks refused to go away so junior midfielder, Nick Churchill, assisted Arndt for an impressive goal to tie the game up at 1-1, concluding the half. After the half, the Sharks weren’t finished with the game just yet, Churchill cut up on his own and beat his man to score a solo goal adding to the pile with a 2-1 game. The Sharks defense was playing stellar highlighting senior defense, Matt Brown and Foster Keebaugh. The boys were missing a key player, Cornett, at keeper so the Sharks had to make a substitution. The Sharks played senior goal keeper, Nick Taylor, who has never played soccer up to this point. “It was a great game against a great team and it was a battle for 80 straight minutes. We Started off down 1-0 and came back winning 3-1,” stated Brown. Taylor played outstanding only allowing one goal and multiple saves. With this amazing defense alleviated for the offense and within the last ten minutes of the game, Ardnt once again off a header and putting the nail in the coffin for the Eagles. The Sharks upset the number ten team in the nation and brought a huge statement win showing what boys PVHS soccer is all about. The Sharks advanced to 6-1 on the year with heads very high.

Pictured: Keeper Keegan Cornett (11) excited after blocking a goal. Photographed by Alex Fenney @fenneysflicks