In a rematch of the top two teams in District 4A, the Bartram Bears edged the visiting Sharks of Ponte Vedra Tuesday evening to advance to the regional semi-finals in girls soccer. The game was decided by a second round of penalty kicks after the two teams were tied at two after 80 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute sudden death overtime periods.
After the Bears jumped in front with two first half goals, Ponte Vedra’s chances looked bleak. But coach Dave Silverberg’s half time instructions proved dramatically effective. The Sharks scored five minutes into the second half on Courtney Jacquay’s header then tied matters ten minutes later on a header by Erica Burt.
The Sharks appeared to have won the game in regulation when freshman Brooke Sharp lined a shot past the Bear keeper with a minute left on the clock. However, Ponte Vedra’s celebration was short lived when the goal was waived off because of foul.
Two scoreless sudden death periods meant the outcome would be decided by penalty kicks. Goals by Nicole White and Jessica Stephens sandwiched between Emily Vergo’s opening round save had the Sharks up 2-0, but the round would end 3-3.
The Bartram keeper stopped the next two Shark shots but Bartram’s second shooter of the round sent her team to the regional semi-finals and ended the Sharks hopes of a second consecutive state title.
