After a National Championship year at the University of Tampa, Goalkeeper Shannon Aitken has not dropped off one bit. In her first start of the ’08 Season, Aitken recorded her first shutout with 10 saves in the 1-0 victory of Tampa Hellenic. Aitken’s ability’s in the Goal are a key to the success of the Athleitcs this season. We have only just begun to see the potential of this Goalkeeper and this team.

Week 4
W-League Team of the Week
Pos	Name	Team	Highlights
GK	Shannon Aitken	Bradenton	10 Saves & SO in 1-0 win at Tampa Bay
D	Ella Stephan	Boston	Best Renegade defender in a 1-0 loss to Jersey
D	Mariella Romano	New York	Top defensive player in a 2-2 draw against Connecticut
D	Bonnie Young	Jersey	Denied numerous late-game opportunities in 1-0 win
M	Colette McCallum	Pali	2 goals in 5-0 win at Ventura
M	Lori Lindsay	Washington	2 assists in 3-1 win at Long Island
M	Yolanda Odenyo	Jersey	Only goal in 1-0 win at Boston
M	Tina Murphy	Charlottle	1 goal, 1 assist in 3-0 win over West Virginia
F	Casey Nogueira	Carolina	1 goal, 1 assist in 2-0 win against Carolina Dynamo
F	Fortuna Velaj	Connecticut	Both goals in a 2-2 draw at New York
F	Sarah Steinmann	Atlanta	2 goals in 3-1 win over Hampton Roads

This weekends’ kickoff action placed our Bradenton Academics (PDL) and Athletics(W-League) away from home to start the ’08 Season. The long trek from Bradenton the Panama City was not in vein. Although they did not come out with a win, a 1-1 draw put points on the board for the Academics. With only 4 days of training as a team, Coach Tom Durkin was pleased with the result considering the amount of training and number of players. There is a positive outlook on the season from what was seen last weekend in Panama City . The Academics will host Carolina Dynamo this Saturday at 5:30pm.

With a shorter commute for our Athletics (W-League) from Bradenton, FL to Tampa, FL , came thr sweet taste of victory as the new franchise, Tampa Bay Hellenic fell 1-0 to the Athletics. Starting the season with a win could be the boost the Athletics needed to fight off last season results. All it took was an assist in the 63rd minute from Midfielder Erika Tymrak to Jessica Bartol who put the ball in the back of the net where it belongs. This proves to be a combo to watch for the remainder of the season.

 The Bradenton Academics are back in action May 10th vs. the Panama City Pirates. As the days to kick off gets closer and closer, the anticipation grows as hopes are high for the team. After finishing 4th in the Southern Conference in 2007, Coach Tom Durkin has arranged his roster to be a top contender for in the Conference title.

Among the crowd of returning players is USF Goalkeeper and 2007 All-Southern Conference Goalkeeper, Diego Restrepo and fellow teammate and All-Southern Conference Forward, Zak Boggs. The University of Akron, Ohio was impacted by a pair of freshmen and returning Academics in U-20 Men’s National Team Midfielder  Blair Gavin and 2007 College Soccer News All-Freshman Anthony Ampaipitakwong. Ampaipitakwong had nine assists to lead the Mid-American Conference and rank 32nd in the NCAA and ranked sixth in the MAC in points with 13.

The town of Bradenton is looking forward to another great PDL Season.

 The 2008 W-League Season will also be underway May 11th as the Athletics head to Tampa to play the Tampa Hellenic at Ed Radice Park.