Shark boys’ lacrosse rolls over Bartram

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The Sharks lacrosse team continued its domination of District 6 opponents March 7 at the Shark Tank with a 20-2 mercy win over the Bartram Trail Bears. Thus far this season, the Sharks have amassed 79 goals and have allowed just 10 against their four District 6 opponents – Fleming Island, Creekside, Nease and the Bears.

Bartram stood little chance against the powerful Shark attack that saw Ponte Vedra jump in front 30 seconds into the game on a goal by CD James. Before the first quarter was three minutes old, the Sharks were in front 4-0 thanks to goals by Clay Welch, Matt Keller and Dylan Hess.

Minutes later, Reid Smith pushed the Shark advantage to 5-0 when he converted a pretty pass from James. When the first quarter ended, the Sharks were up 7-0 on goals by Smith and Keeler.

Things didn’t fare any better for the Bears in the second period. Three minutes in, Walker Azzaro found the back of the net, to put Ponte Vedra on top 8-0. Then Smith and Keeler produced a four-goal avalanche in the span of less than three minutes for a 12-0 Shark advantage. James and Tony Rossi concluded the first half scoring for Ponte Vedra.

The game continued in the second half under the mercy rule. When the dust had finally settled, the Sharks out-scored the Bears six to two in the final 24 minutes, winning 20-2.

Top scorers for Ponte Vedra included Smith and Keeler, each with four goals and an assist; Welch with three goals and an assist; and James with two goals and three assists.

The Sharks then hit the road on Friday for a pair of non-district games against two higher ranked teams – Friday against Jupiter and Saturday against Gulliver Prep.

The matchup against the Jupiter Warriors provided a good test for the Sharks as they work to prepare for the challenges of upcoming post-season play. Jupiter (9-1) bested the previously unbeaten Sharks 15-9. Goal scorers for Ponte Vedra included Smith with three goals, Welch with two goals and an assist, Jack Burke with two goals, Keeler with a goal and an assist, and Andrew Bray with a goal.

Gulliver Prep wasn’t nearly the test the Sharks expected and Ponte Vedra handled the Raiders easily, 18-6. Once again, the scoring power for the Sharks came from a familiar group of players; Smith (five goals), Welch (four goals and two assists), Burke (two goals), Keeler (one goal and one assist) and James (two goals). In addition, Azzaro (two goals) and Jason Prince (two goals) also found their way into the Shark scorebook.