The Academy wins for
the third consecutive time the Gold Coast Soccer Development League Competition
After finishing fifth in the robin round of the season, The
Academy rose to the occasion and won the Rudy Lewis Memorial Cup of the Gold
Coast SDL Winter Season. They defeated Boca SC in the quarterfinals, (cero-cero
in regulation time and 4-2 in kicks from the penalty mark) then they beat the
robin round champs, Oakland Stars by a score of 4-0 and Schulz Academy in the
finals by the same score 4-0.
The final The Academy vs Schulz Academy was an excellent
game. Schulz Academy dominated during the first half but the game was scoreless
at half time. The substitutions made by The Academy coach J.C. Meeroff in the
second half pay great dividends. The Academy midfield controlled the game, the
last line of four was impenetrable and the forwards were very effective
creating goal scoring opportunities. Stefano Bontempo scored with a blast shot
from outside the penalty area at minute 7. Then The Academy had many chances to
increase the difference but the great performance by Schultz Academy keeper
Brandon Ryan denied those opportunities until striker Travis Brown scored again
for The Academy at minute 24. With Schulz Academy desperately attacking to
reduce the gap, Dumel Decius scored for The Academy on a great counterattack.
Finally Roee Blicher mark the fourth goal on a penalty kick after Shulz Academy
keeper Ryan took down captain Garrick Ferguson inside the penalty area.
The Academy keeper Derek Robbie was nominated “The Academy
man of the match”.
The season was excellent and the level of play superb. It demonstrates
that this is the way to go and to promote organized soccer in the US: local
leagues with superior intensity and great quality. Congratulation to all
participating teams!! We hope they will return to play next season/
