Bradenton Academics Press Release - www.bradentonacademics.com

Monday, May 19

BRADENTON, FL - The Bradenton Academics took advantage of two first half goals to propel them to a 4-2 victory over visiting Carolina Dynamo in PDL action Saturday night. An early second half goal by Zak Boggs proved to be the difference between two very attack minded teams in a competitive Southeast division game.

The game started with both teams having early scoring chances. In the 18th minute the Bradenton Academics finally were able to convert one of their five corner kick opportunities into their first goal of the contest. A deflected ball inside the box was headed home by Miguel Rodrigues. Shortly after forward Ryan Maxwell kept the pressure on the Dynamo’s backline beating two defenders where goalkeeper Arron Johnson made a fantastic save to deny Maxwell his first goal of the game. However, Maxwell would not be denied in the 23rd minute, where Anthony Ampaipitakwong played a perfect pass in stride and Maxwell was able to blast a shot past a diving keeper from 18 yards out.

The Carolina Dynamo would storm back immediately creating numerous chances to get back into the contest. Bradenton goalkeeper, Diego Restrepo, made key saves but the Dynamo’s relentless attack proved to be too much in the 35th minute when Eddie Ababio took a ball played wide and laced a shot into the bottom right corner to bring them back within a goal. The Dynamo and Ababio built upon this momentum for the remainder of the half and evened the score in stoppage to send the game into halftime all squared at two.

The second half saw more good chances for both teams however. The Bradenton Academics took advantage of their opportunities to regain the lead in the 58th minute with a goal by Zak Boggs. Boggs redeeming himself from a failed breakaway opportunity in the first half, showed his poise around the goal controlling a flighted ball from midfielder Blair Gavin to chip goalkeeper Aaron Johnson from 20 yards out. The game was put out of reach in the 73rd minute when Ryan Maxwell was able to find some space along the right side of the field to display a well organized counter attack off a Carolina corner kick. Maxwell was able to take the ball the length of the field beating two defenders and placing his shot left of Johnson for the final goal of the match. The Academics battled to the end, fighting off a late flurry of chances by the Dynamo and improve their record to 1-0-1 on the season.

The Bradenton Academics will be back in action this Wednesday at 8:00pm when they travel to take on the Nashville Metros.