Editor’s Note:  due to the stories from last week taking so much time we at FLN got backed up on submitted game results and we apologize for not posting these sooner. We really appreciate those who have volunteered their time and efforts to provide these recaps and as we continue to grow as a web site we will strive even more to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future! Thanks to Mike Zima, Special Correspondent for sending this in!   Peaking for the playoffs, Miles Silva and his Ponte Vedra teammates used a speed advantage to overwhelm host Fleming Island 16-2 Tuesday night. “That was probably one of our better performances,” said Ponte Vedra coach Tom West. “Definitely one of our top three.” Occasionally playing a two-man game with an attack setting a pick for a midfielder, but more often simply beating Fleming Island’s extended man-to-man defense by allowing a midfielder to go one on one with dodges and fakes, the Sharks displayed an efficiency that UPS would envy. If the Golden Eagles left a pixel-sized hole in their defense, the Sharks exploited it. Silva, who is committed to play for Army next year, led the visitors with three goals, but he was far from the only Shark who beat his defender. The Sharks received goals from twelve different players, including two apiece from Ryan Weile and Eric Applegate.  

“Their midfielders ran by us all night long,” said Fleming Island coach Jeff LaVangie. “They are very deep.” Specialist Clay Welch won twelve of fourteen faceoffs in the first half to help Ponte Vedra build a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Goaltender Colin Peaks contributed to the early control, saving five of six shots on goal in the first two periods. “We have three very good goalies,” said West. “He [Peaks] did a great job in the first half when they were pressuring the cage.”  

Midfielder Sam Barrington had both Fleming Island goals, one on a low drive off of a feed from Nick Horrell, and one on a long-range bounce shot from the right wing. Under relentless pressure, Golden Eagles goalie Ryan Kelly stood tall with eleven saves. Fleming Island falls to 10-4, and closes out the regular season with a non-district game at St. Augustine Thursday. Ponte Vedra improves to 14-2, and travels to Lake Highland Prep for their season finale on Thursday. The game is a rematch of last year’s state semifinal, a match won by Lake Highland, and could be a preview of this year’s final four match-up.