The Ponte Vedra boys lacrosse team continued its dominant season on Tuesday with a 15-2 win over Bartram Trail in the first round of the District 6 playoffs at home.
Junior midfielder Dylan Hess led the Sharks (18-1) with three goals.
“I know that in our offense we all have each other’s backs,” said Hess, who has committed to play lacrosse at Georgetown University. “When I’m scoring, everybody’s scoring. When they’re scoring, I’m scoring. So, it’s really just a loop. (It’s) an offense that works together.”
Head coach Tom West said Hess is the leader of the team who settles everyone down.
“We kind of feed off of him,” West said. “He’s so smart. He plays with poise like a veteran.”
In addition to Hess, senior attack Jack Dowd, junior attack Cam Welch, sophomore midfielder Joe Taraboletti, senior midfielder/attack Tony Rossi and junior long-stick midfielder Tommy Zitiello each contributed two goals. Ponte Vedra also won 17 out of 19 faceoffs.
Freshman goalie Nolan Parlette finished the game with seven saves, which he attributed to the efforts of his team.
“Everyone just contributed to the team,” Parlette said. “Taking accountability. Everyone hopping on the bus for the state championship.”
West said the game provided the Sharks with an opportunity to play their depth, noting that all Sharks midfielders and defenders played in the contest.
According to MaxPreps, Ponte Vedra is ranked No. 1 in the state of Florida and No. 5 in the country. On Saturday, the Sharks defeated Oxbridge Academy of West Palm Beach, the second-ranked team in the state, 11-9. Junior midfielder Freddie Amato led Ponte Vedra in that game with five goals. Nolan Parlette had another strong game in net with 13 saves. Senior FOGO (Face Off Get Off) Jimmy Burns won 14 out of 21 faceoffs. The previous Thursday, Ponte Vedra beat Oak Hall of Gainesville, the 11th ranked team in the state, 19-2.
The Sharks will play Creekside (16-2) on Thursday, April 18, in the District 6 championship at 6 p.m. at home. Ponte Vedra defeated the Knights 20-7 earlier in April.
Hess said moving forward, the Sharks can’t take anything for granted.
“We have some tough games ahead,” Hess said. “We have some easy games ahead. Just play every game like it’s the game, like it’s the state championship.”
