The Ponte Vedra and Nease girls soccer teams are both in the midst of a memorable campaign as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.
The Sharks have lost just one game all year with a record of 14-1-1.
In 15 contests, the Sharks have only surrendered four goals, and they have backed up the stellar defensive efforts by scoring three or more goals in more than half of their games.
Their lone loss came to Edgewood on Dec. 15, but since that 1-0 defeat, the Sharks have reeled off five straight victories.
The Sharks were quite busy during the winter break, as they compiled four wins in a three-day stretch as part of a tournament in Vero Beach.
However, those were not just three more wins on the schedule, but they proved that the Sharks have the potential to do some real damage once they get to the postseason, as they came against quality teams from across the state, including a 2-1 win over Mariner (13-3); a 2-0 win over Tallahassee Lincoln (8-3-1); and defeating Boynton Beach Somerset Academy (13-4-1), 1-0.
Three home games are left on the schedule for the Sharks, including against Creekside on Jan. 12 at 7:20 p.m., Bartram Trail on Jan. 18 at 7:20 p.m. and undefeated Monteverde Academy on Jan. 20 beginning at noon.
For the Nease Panthers, they have their sights set on finishing strong and going undefeated with three games remaining in the season.
The Panthers are 10-0-3 and have shut out their opponents on six occasions this season, with their largest margin of victory coming on Dec. 14 with a 6-0 triumph over Middleburg on the road.
Road warriors is probably the best term to describe the Panthers this season as time after time this season the Panthers have been tested on the road having played nine road games compared to just three at home to this point.
The ability to do whatever they can not to lose games is a unique quality and one that will pay dividends for the Panthers in the playoffs.
They had night at the Panther Den on Jan. 11 and defeated county rival Menendez 3-0 and will finish up with two more road games against Creekside on Jan. 17 and Bishop Kenny on Jan. 18. Both of those games will start at 7:20 p.m.
With all the success both the Sharks and Panthers have had this year, it is a shame that both teams were not on the other’s schedule this year, because it seems like it would have been a memorable game for both players and fans and just one more moment to cherish in what has been a memorable season to this point.
