By Aspen McAdoo

   The Ponte Vedra High School Sharks girls’ soccer team came into a highly anticipated matchup against the Creekside High School Knights in the Shark Tank. Both teams won the state championship last year in separate divisions, so this game had all the stakes. Neither team was able to get any momentum going early on in the game as it stood scoreless. But as the first half came to a close the Knights struck first giving them a 1-0 lead at the half. The Sharks were not going to let the first half deficit affect them as they wanted to come out to start the second half strong. The Sharks were able to score a massive goal from junior forward, Lily Morse and on the assist from senior forward, Jenny Dearie, tying up tis he matchup at 1-1. Late into the second half it was still tied but the Knights were able to overpower the Sharks defense and score the go-ahead goal. The Sharks weren’t able to add anymore and suffered their first loss of the season with a final of score of 2-1. This loss moved the Sharks record to 8-1-2 on the season.

   The Sharks looked to bounce back from their tough at home against the South Walton High School Seahawks. Getting out to a fast start was emphasized pregame for the Sharks as they didn’t want to fall behind again. Morse made sure the Sharks got that early lead as she scored to give the Sharks all the momentum with a 1-0 lead. Late into the first half the Sharks continued their momentum when sophomore forward, Katie DeVincentis added a second goal on the assist from freshman midfielder Annie Wooten, giving the Sharks a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the half. Adding one last goal in the second half put the game away when Wooten scored the Sharks third goal on the assist from sophomore defender, Lulu Consunji. The Sharks sophomore goalie Abby Kennedy racked up four saves and posted a shutout. The Sharks were able to bounce back with a 3-0 shutout win and improved their record to 9-1-2 on the season.

   The Sharks girls’ soccer team welcomes the Navarre High School Raiders to the Shark Tank for a huge matchup. The key to the game for the Sharks was playing with a lead and not falling behind. The offense made sure they were going to be playing with a lead as early into the game and got all the momentum as Morse scored on the assist from DeVincentis, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. Playing with a lead clearly helped the Sharks as Wooten added another goal on the assist from junior forward Taylor McKeon, making the score 2-0 in favor of the Sharks at half time. The Sharks wanted to keep their foot on the pedal in the second half and keep playing strong defense. Offensively the Sharks added one more goal from Consunji with the assist from senior defender, Natalie McCann this brought the final score to 3-0 giving the Sharks the win. The Sharks have totaled back to back wins and improved their record to 10-1-2 on the season.

   The Sharks will look to start a win streak in their upcoming games and get hot heading into the playoffs. McCann said, “We are glad to get two wins and we want to get hot as we head into the playoffs.”

Pictured: Abby Wooten (12) dribbling the ball up the field. Photographed by Alex Fenney (@fenneysflics)