PONTE VEDRA – Having been ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 6 in the country by various rankings, the last thing the Ponte Vedra boys lacrosse teams wants is to see it all slip away.
Unlike volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball or softball, which take the top two teams from each district tournament; lacrosse only takes the district champion to the playoffs.
Meaning this weeks district tournaments is all about survive and advance now, one bad game can end a special season and an expected trip to the state finals in Boca Raton.
Ponte Vedra isn’t the only one chasing the dream, as Providence (14-2), Creekside (15-2) and St. Augustine (11-5) hope to get their as well.
On the girls side, Episcopal (11-5), Fletcher (9-4), Bartram Trail (14-3), Ponte Vedra (12-3) and Flagler Palm Coast (12-3) hope to be lucky enough to end up Boca Raton.
Here is the rundown of area boys and girls lacrosse district tournaments this week.
- Photos from Ponte Vedra, Episcopal, Providence, Creekside, St. Augustine, Atlantic Coast, Bartram Trail and Flagler Palm Coast twitter accounts.
BOYS
District 4-1A at Bolles
Tuesday
No. 2 Episcopal 12, No. 3 Paxon 1
No. 1 Bolles 20, No. 4 Stanton 0
Thursday
No. 1 Bolles (9-7) vs No. 2 Episcopal (11-8), 4 p.m.
Outlook: Bolles ran through the district unscathed sweeping every district opponent by 10 or more goals with wins over Lee 21-0, Stanton 16-3, Paxon 17-5 and Episcopal 18-5.
District 5-1A at Providence
Tuesday
No. 1 Fletcher 17, No. 4 Sandalwood 4
No. 2 Providence 12, No. 3 Mandarin 4
Thursday
No. 1 Fletcher (12-6) vs No. 2 Providence (15-2), 7 p.m.
Outlook: As hosts and second seed, the Stallions are one of the overwhelming favorites to win the 5-1A title and automatic playoff berth. However, having already been stung by the Senators once 10-9 in overtime you can be assured the Stallions would love another shot at them in the title game. First things first though they must get past Mandarin, who they beat 15-5 back on March 4 at Mandarin. Fletcher may have something to say about that though as the top seed and the lone 5-1A team to have beat the Stallions.
District 6-1A at Ponte Vedra
Tuesday
No. 2 Creekside 8, No. 3 Fleming Island 6
No. 1 Ponte Vedra 15, No. 4 Bartram Trail 2
Friday
No. 1 Ponte Vedra (18-1) vs No. 2 Creekside (16-2), 7 p.m.
Outlook: There may not be a tougher district in the area or state than 6-1A, which three legitimate state title contenders in No. 1 ranked Ponte Vedra, No. 2 ranked Creekside and No. 4 ranked Fleming Island, according to North Florida Boys Lacrosse Poll. Ponte Vedra showed just how dangerous the Sharks are rallying from a 7-4 fourth period deficit to stun state power Oxbridge 11-9 Saturday. The Sharks have won 10 in a row and are highly expected to advance to Boca Raton for a possible rematch with Oxbridge in the state title game. The winner of the semifinal between Creekside and Fleming Island, which will air live on 1010XL, will have the daunting task of trying to take down No. 1 ranked Ponte Vedra.
District 7-1A at Matanzas
Monday
No. 1 St. Augustine 18, No. 4 Father Lopez 10
No. 3 Menendez 9, No. 2 Matanzas 8 (2 OT)
Wednesday
No. 1 St. Augustine (13-5) vs No. 3 Menendez (8-8), 7 p.m.
Outlook: As the two time reigning district champions, the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets are poised to make it a three peat. Don’t count out Matanzas though as the Pirates have home field advantage and look to spring the upset.
GIRLS
District 3-1A at Bolles
Tuesday
No. 1 Episcopal 21, No. 4 Paxon 3
No. 3 Bolles over No. 2 Stanton
Thursday
No. 1 Episcopal (12-5) vs No. 3 Bolles (3-12), 7 p.m.
Outlook: With two of the four teams well below .500 and another barely at .500, Episcopal is huge favorites to claim the 3-1A title. One huge reason for them being favorites is an highly productive offense that features senior Stela Chepinak (91 goals, 12 assists), freshman Sophia Chepinak (43 goals, 29 assists), sophomore Mia Carter (26 goals, 11 assists) and sophomore Katie Ogletree (20 goals, 9 assists).
District 4-1A at Fletcher
Monday
No. 2 Atlantic Coast over No. 3 Sandalwood
No. 1 Fletcher 17, No. 4 Mandarin 2
Wednesday
No. 1 Fletcher (10-4) vs No. 2 Atlantic Coast (9-7), 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Senators cruised through the district without a loss after wins over Sandalwood 16-2, Mandarin 10-4 and Atlantic Coast 10-6, while finishing 7-0 at Jack Taylor Stadium. If there is one team that could play spoiler, its the Atlantic Coast Stingrays, who started out 7-2 but finished 1-5 down the stretch, including a four goal lost to Fletcher.
It won’t be easy but the Bartram Trail Bears are up for the challenge
District 5-1A at Creekside
Tuesday
No. 2 Bartram Trail 20, No. 3 Creekside 10
No. 1 Ponte Vedra 16, No. 4 Nease 5
Thursday
No. 1 Ponte Vedra (13-3) vs No. 3 Bartram Trail (15-3), 6:30 p.m.
Outlook: Just like the guys, this district is insane and also a highly competitive one. One thing for sure is whoever survives this district will be heavily favored to get to Boca Raton and compete for a state title.
District 6-1A at Flagler Palm Coast
Tuesday
No. 2 Menendez 8, No. 3 Flagler Palm Coast 7
Thursday
No. 1 St. Augustine (13-3) vs No. 2 Menendez (8-7), 6 p.m.
Outlook: As the top seed in a three team district, the Yellow Jackets are one win away from making the playoffs. Wins over Menendez 17-1 and Palm Coast 15-5 earlier in the season has positioned the Jackets for a playoff run.
