Kraze topple Schulz

The Kraze have escaped with yet another win by the narrowest of margins, as they defeated Ft. Lauderdale Friday 1-0 to launch themselves upward in the Premier Development League standings.

Jowayne Laidley took a Fredrik Brustad pass on a rain-drenched Showalter Field and powered the ball past the left upright to give the Kraze their only goal of the game in the 42nd minute. It was part of a dramatic first-half charge by Central Florida that saw them take 10 shots and 6 corners.

But once again the Kraze's defense took the spotlight, absolutely dominating the Schulz Academy and keeping possession for most of the game. The Kraze's shutout of Ft. Lauderdale kept them tied for the best defense in the 67-team league, with only 7 goals allowed all season.

Much of that defensive magic has come from goalie Wesley Giachetti, who returned to the field Friday to stop three shots by Ft. Lauderdale. Giachetti has allowed only 3 goals all season, but during his absence in the previous three games the Kraze let 4 into the net.

In a bizarre twist compared to their stellar defense, the Kraze also have one of the worst offenses in the league. In all of the PDL, the Kraze have the least amount of goals scored while still maintaining a winning record. In 10 games they've only scored 15 goals, miraculously emerging with only 3 losses in that time.

With a four-game road trip looming to finish out the season, the Kraze have the odds on their side. In their three road games so far this season, they've scored 6 goals while allowing only 2.

They travel to Nashville Friday, kicking off against the second worst team in the division. With a win, the Kraze could vault into third place in the division just before a three-game finale against the three teams directly above them on the division ladder.