On a Wednesday evening featuring a half-time tribute to former Shark public address announcer and avid soccer dad, Tom Hurley, the Ponte Vedra boys’ soccer team responded with an emotionally charged mercy win over Pedro Menendez 8-0.
Hurley, a fixture in the press box at the Shark Tank and a fervent supporter of the boys’ soccer team for six years, passed away suddenly on November 23. His son Briggs played four seasons for Ponte Vedra before graduating in 2014. He is now a mid-fielder at Principia College in St Louis.
During the half-time tribute, Shark seniors Munir Adamo, Matt Fishman and Johnny Stephens presented flowers, a plaque and a signed soccer ball to Tom’s wife, Barbara and her three children, Lucy Jane, Briggs and Georgia-Mae who were all in attendance.
The Sharks, heavily favored in the match against Pedro, nearly ended the game before half time building a 7-0 lead in the first 40 minutes. Stephens primed the pump with a goal five minutes in. Two minutes later Chris Howard scored the first of his two goals off corner kicks.
Michael Bennett then added the first and second goals of what would be a hat trick to give the Sharks a 4-0 lead. Carson King made the score sheet with a pretty kick on a waist high pass and Conor Brandon’s goal put Ponte Vedra up by seven just before the half-time tribute.
Seven minutes into the second half Bennett’s hat trick sent everyone home gratified if not happy.
