Game 1 vs Monterey Bay FC 2

Academica SC’s USL 2 season officially got underway as they hosted Monterey Bay FC 2 at Academica Field on Wednesday. With new head coach Desmond Madrigal, Academica was hoping to get off to a hot start and make an impact in the NorCal Division. 

Academica Starting XI: Adan Corona, Julian Loemli, Oscar Govea, Ezekiel Padilla, Daniel Govea, Andres Velasquez, Sebastian Carbajal, Joaquin D’Escoto, Samuel Villanueva-Martinez, Xavier Barajas, Andrea Alonso-Franco

Monterey Starting XI: Kevin Brown, Nami Banks, Edwin Moreno, Daniel Perez, Sebastian Ruiz-Hurst, Ignacio Flores, Mason Ward, Jacob Burnison, Sintayehu Clements, Cambell Young, Jerry Godfryd

The game started with quite a bit of back-and-forth action. Academica got some early corners, which led to some quality scoring opportunities, but they were unable to get the ball past Jerry Godfryd. Academica would get on the board when an aggressive press by Oscar Govea on Godfryd forced a turnover, and Govea found himself with a wide-open net, making it 1-0 in the 18th minute. Academica nearly got a second goal moments later, but the official said Joaquin D’Escoto pushed off of the defender, and the goal was nullified as a result.  

In the 44th minute, Godfryd went down following a collision, creating a scary moment for Monterey Bay, who didn’t have a backup goalkeeper with them on the road. He remained in the game. Academica carried a 1-0 lead into the half-time break. 

Sebastian Carbajal was taken down by Kevin Brown less than a minute into the second half. Carbajal was helped off the field, unable to walk off under his own power. James Andrew came into the game as a result, while Brown was shown the first yellow card of the night. Academica was dominating offensive pressure at this point, but had been unable to find a second goal as the hour mark was eclipsed. 

In the 81st minute, Daniel Borges, who had come on as a substitute earlier in the half, extended Academica’s lead to 2-0. Borges would then be shown a yellow card in the 87th minute for time wasting. 

Academica held on and walked away with an opening night victory, defeating Monterey Bay and dropping their opposition to 0-3 on the season. 

Game 2 vs Project 510

Academica looked to follow up their opening night win with a second on Saturday night, against another strong opponent, Project 510. 

Project 510 Starting XI: Thomas Carnier, Jude Stone, Emilio Martinez, Luis Saldana, Julio Martinez, Javier Bedolla Vera, Juan Sanchez, Braian Garcia, Tomas Caminos, Saber Charif, Alejandro Caracheo Luna

Academica Starting XI: Angel Ruiz, Julian Lomeli, Oscar Govea, Ezekiel Padilla, Daniel Govea, Daniel Borges, Joaquin D’Escoto, Kevin Capetillo, Samuel Villanueva-Martinez, Xavier Barajas, Andres Alonso-Franco

Luis Saldana got the first great scoring chance of the night for 510, getting alongside the Academica defense before firing a shot that sailed over the crossbar. Andres Alonso-Franco went down following a collision with an attacker, the collision led directly to a scoring opportunity which was saved by Angel Ruiz. Alonso-Franco got to his feet quickly and remained in the game. Ezekiel Padilla got Academica’s first real chance in the 10th minute, but was denied by Alejandro Caracheo Luna. Samuel Villanueva had a shot trail just wide a couple of minutes later. 

Project 510 got their first corner of the night in the 15th minute, Julio Martinez forced Ruiz to make another save and they were unable to convert on their chances. Daniel Borges nearly got Academica on the board in the 20th minute, but the play was ruled just offside on a very close play. In the 37th minute, Villanueva was shown the game’s first yellow card. Alonso-Franco would be shown a yellow for a dangerous challenge on Saldana in the 44th minute, Academica’s second of the half. 

Academica made some substitutions for the second half, Borges and Villanueva came out for Alexander Hasenohrl and Andres Velasquez. Emilio Martinez was shown 510’s first yellow card of the night in the 48th minute. Academica made further substitutions at the hour mark, making three changes. Immediately afterwards, Project 510 scored off of the foot of Saldana to make it 1-0. Velasquez then found an equalizer off of a corner kick two minutes later, tying it up for Academica. 

Julian Lomeli nearly scored a late go-ahead goal in stoppage time following a set piece, but was denied by Caracheo Luna. Ultimately, it would end in a 1-1 draw. 

Game 3 vs Davis Legacy SC

Academica finished off their opening homestand against Davis Legacy SC on Wednesday. They were looking to remain undefeated entering their first road trip of the season. Meanwhile, Davis was looking for their first win of the season after losing their first two games. 

Academica Starting XI: Adan Corona, Oscar Govea, Daniel Govea, Andres Velasquez, Giovanni Ceja, Alexander Hasenohrl, Joaquin D’Escoto, Samuel Villanueva-Martinez, Josemaria Barrera, James Andrew, Andres Alonso-Franco.

Davis Starting XI: Elijah Reyneveld, Isaac Emojong, Angad Singh, Montgomery Carey, Jonathan Dadzie, Nathan Jimenez, Benjamin Elkins, Gabriel Sanchez, Enzo De Almeida, Joshua Moya, Leonardo Martinez.

Academica brought pressure right out of the gate, generating chances in the opening minutes while limiting Davis’ opportunities. Davis’s first chance of the night came on a free kick, but Adan Corona made an easy save on the shot. 

Nathan Jimenez had an opportunity to give Davis the lead in the 20th minute, with a wide open net in front of him but chipped the ball over the crossbar. Academica had quite a few chances in the first half, as did Davis but neither team were able to capitalize and it remained a 0-0 tie heading into the halftime break.

Davis brought quite a bit of pressure early in the second half, however Academica’s defense was standing strong.

Joshua Moya was forced to make a strong save in the 60th minute, when he fully extended to deflect a perfect shot by Academica. Josemaria Barrera had two great opportunities to give the home side a lead in the 76th minute, hitting the crossbar then having the ball trail just wide of the goal moments later.