Special to the Recorder
The Ponte Vedra boys lacrosse team defeated Creekside 14-5 at home on Thursday, April 18, to win the District 6 title for the ninth time.
Junior attack Cam Welch led the Sharks with two goals and three assists. Junior midfielder Dylan Hess, senior midfielder/attack Tony Rossi, senior attack Patrick Dotsikas and sophomore midfielder Joe Taraboletti each had two goals. Sophomore midfielder Freddie DiMarzo was credited with three assists.
Although Ponte Vedra’s offense usually receives the bulk of the attention, Tarboletti credited the team’s defense for the Sharks’ ultimate success.
“We are extremely well-rounded, but our defense is insane,” Tarboletti said. “Arguably the best in the state with Notre Dame commit Maximus Schalit, alongside Davis Smith and Riley McCormick. Also, (goalie) Nolan Parlette has really stepped up and bailed us out of some games this year.”
Parlette, a freshman, finished the game with seven saves.
“It helps that everyone is so committed, and we all are in on the same goal: a state championship,” Parlette said.
Ponte Vedra (19-1) is ranked No. 1 in the state of Florida and No. 3 in the country, according to MaxPreps. The Sharks will face the Providence School of Jacksonville (16-2) Friday at home at 7 p.m. in the regional quarterfinals of the state championship tournament.
And even from an outsider’s perspective, it’s obvious that these boys have a special bond.
“We have made it this far due to our trust in one another and being well coached and a talented group of guys,” Welch said.
The coaches have a slogan for the team: “Just play Ponte Vedra lacrosse,” and the players believe if they do that, they’ll be just fine.
“It’s just a rule we go by,” Taraboletti explained. “We’re pretty much unstoppable if we play PV lacrosse.”
Natalie Decker is a student at Ponte Vedra High School.
