Yet, Bradenton coach Tom Durkin feels the team is not yet near its apex.
“I have to be happy with the results, but I’m not entirely happy with how we’ve played,” he said. “Honestly, we can play better than this.”
The Academics (5-1-2) created numerous first-half scoring chances and capitalized on three of them to get all that they needed for the victory. Gerard Voutier, Zak Boggs and Jose Roberto Ramos - all IMG Soccer Academy alums - scored in a half that included five yellow cards and a Bradenton player sent off for receiving two yellows.
Voutier opened the scoring in the 4th minute when he pounced on loose ball in the box and hit a shot into the top left corner. Anthony Ampaipitakwong, another Soccer Academy alum, then made a weaving run through the box before sliding a ball to Zak Boggs. Boggs’ shot took an awkward deflection over the Kraze goalkeeper for his sixth goal of the season.
Boggs then played facilitator on the final goal of the half. His flick sent through Ramos, who beat the offside trap, and Ramos calmly finished in the lower corner.
“I was satisfied with the number of scoring chances,” Durkin said, “but our guys are still building up confidence and familiarity with each other. We just want to continue to develop and get better.”
The Kraze (0-5-2) had a number of solid scoring chances, with Dennis Chin’s pace giving the Academics’ defense problems throughout the game. Chin hit the post in the 76th minute and missed from close range soon after that.
With Guillerme Reis holding down the center of the defense, and Blair Gavin providing some tight marking, Bradenton keeper Zach Johnson had a relatively slow night with five saves.
The Academics next host the Baton Rouge Capitals (1-2-3) at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Academy Park.
