Naples Fl- Year after year, the Ponte Vedra sharks continue to show how dominant their their lacrosse program has been. Ponte Vedra cruised into the state final four after comfortably beating Buchholz, Fletcher, and Nease. After a thrilling overtime win over Lake Mary in the 2A Semi-Finals, the Ponte Vedra Sharks boys lacrosse team would make their fourth state championship appearance in nine years. This time, a battle with an extremely talented St. Thomas Aquinas team.
Ponte Vedra faced St Thomas in the 2019, when the Sharks defeated them 19-7 to win theie first state title. Against the Raiders this year, the Sharks started the state championship off hot. A goal from Jacksonville University commit, Mason Hauseman, would give the Sharks an early 1-0 lead. St. Thomas Aquinas would answer right back with a goal of their own however. Ponte Vedra would quickly jump back on top, a goal from Matthias Schulz would make it 2-1.
Ponte Vedra Lacrosse scores in the first half of their state championship contest versus st Thomas Aquinas via @schultzmedia_ @PVSHARKSsports @lacrosse pic.twitter.com/MAMGs1RmbI
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 10, 2025
Ponte Vedra would seemly fall apart after their second goal, as lots of turnovers and penalties put the Sharks at a big disadvantage. St. Thomas Aquinas would take full advantage of this opportunity, and in the blink of an eye took a 5-2 lead. Ponte Vedra would bounce back with two quick goals from Jack Larkin and Blake Powers before the end of the first quarter, making it 5-4 at the end of the first quarter.
After the first quarter, it was all Raiders lacrosse the rest of the game. St.Thomas Aquinas would not allow Ponte Vedra to score the rest of the game. An offensive explosion from the Raiders, lead by Ohio State commit, James Finch, and Diego Salazar, St. Thomas Aquinas would get revenge over Ponte Vedra, with a final score of 13-4.
For Ponte Vedra, this is another disappointing loss in the state championship game, having lost their last trip to the state championship as well. Despite the loss, the Sharks had an outstanding season with one of the most talented rosters in North Florida.
Highlighting this talented team, is senior defender Ryker Kemp, and senior attackman Mason Hauseman. Both players were awarded USA Lacrosse All-American honors for their outstanding play. Kemp is committed to play both lacrosse and football at the University of Utah, and Hauseman will stay local to play at Jacksonville University. Other talented seniors include Flagler commit Camden Ezring, Sewanee commit Blake Powers, Lynn commit Jackson Hume, and Embry Riddle commit Edward Houston.
