Former Nease High girls soccer coach Dave Silverberg, who guided the Panthers to four state championships in seven seasons, has been hired as the first girls soccer coach at the new Ponte Vedra High School.

“It is impossible to see the future, but if the past us a reliable predictor, the Ponte Vedra High School girls soccer  program is destined for success,” said PV High athletic director Gene Baker.

In seven seasons at Nease, Silverberg’s teams won six district championships, three St. Johns River Athletic Conference titles and won state championships in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

“We have set a high standard, but the challenge at Ponte Vedra High is to build a program that aspires to the same heights,” Silverberg said. “First impressions last a long time. We will compete, initially, with class, pride and honor. Our reputation is who we are.”

Silverberg will being his tenure with a tournament appearance at Flagler during the last week of October, then open district play against St. Johns County’s other new school, Creekside High, on Nov. 4.

In other Sharks sports news, former Vanderbilt tennis player and LPGA staff member Hilary Hoffman is the school’s new girls golf and tennis coach.

“I have loved the challenge of building a team,” said Hoffman, who formerly coached golf at Fruit Cove. “The kids at Fruit Cove embraced the opportunity and I expect the girls at Ponte Vedra will be just as excited as we begin to get the program off the ground.”