Kraze face Academics

It's showdown time on the soccer field for the Central Florida Kraze, who are coming back from a two-week break to face their biggest rival, the Bradenton Academics, on Thursday night.

The two teams have tied once and seen the Academics victorious in their meetings so far this year, and now the Kraze are hoping to right their flagging season and find some offensive traction at the same time.

The Kraze have managed to score 11 goals in six games of the regular season so far. That includes at least one goal per game in every game they've played against teams that were not the Bradenton Academics. But against the Academics, the Kraze have been held scoreless in two games.

Defense has been Central Florida's saving grace in those tight matches, with only one goal scored against them in two games. Wesley Giachetti has been a brick wall at keeper, stopping dozens of shots that could otherwise have made his team's season far worse.

As of current standings, the Kraze are one win ahead of the Academics on the Premier Development League Southeast Division ladder.

If the Kraze can pull off a win, they'll be within striking distance of first place, with a shot at the postseason if they can hold on.

The action starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 24 at Showalter Field.