Academy SC and Scholars International B won the Cayman Islands Football Association FA Cup and Men’s Vice President Cup, respectively, on Sunday night at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
For Scholars B – the second division league champions – it was about continuing their winning ways while the Academy men secured their first piece of silverware for the season.
Scholars B kick off the first of two championship games on the day, facing off against Tigers FC for the MVP Cup. Scholars B ultimately earned the 2-0 win – the goals coming courtesy of Rolly Bodden in the 37th minute and Christopher Brown in the 63rd.
The Compass caught up with Scholars B coach Fred Ebanks after the game, who said that the victory was a foregone conclusion.
The team has won the championship the last four seasons, ending three of those with an undefeated record. “Tonight was the D1 champions versus the D2 champions and we showed that we are the better team,” Ebanks said.
“It played out according to the game plan. I saw Tigers play… they don’t really have any technical players per se, they only have one individual – Gonzalo [McLaughlin] – who has a good kick. So, the plan was not to give him anything inside our box and it worked out well.”
Repeat FA Cup champs
Academy SC found themselves defending the FA Cup against Elite SC in the finals – the same two teams that played for the cup last season – with Academy once again finishing on top against the always gritty West Bay squad.
“Our boys showed excellent composure against a competitive Elite team,” Paul Byles, Academy men’s head coach, told the Compass. “The players executed the game plan perfectly. I am also really proud of how well they closed out the season and making sure that we gave back-to-back FA Cup Championships to our fans.”
Dominic Owens set the pace early in Academy’s 4-1 win with a goal 18 minutes into the game. Teammate Joshwa Campbell scored his team’s second goal and Kemario Munroe found the back of the net twice after that.
Byles noted that his team’s success is a result of being student-athletes abroad and bringing that experience home.
“Due to our club’s encouragement and support, there are now over 35 players pursuing their education overseas while playing the game they love, and we are now seeing the impact of those efforts as slowly each year our graduates are returning home and adding value to our team,” he said, adding that it is one of the reasons Academy is represented on national teams.
“Having the opportunity to obtain a university education and a chance to fulfil their football dreams overseas is that other trophy that we don’t often speak about. As a club, we will always stick with these values.”
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