Michigan Bucks Press Release - www.buckssoccer.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

PONTIAC, MI - The Michigan Bucks have been hard at work getting ready for the 2010 season, but we took a break to summarize what our alumni and current college players have been up to...

After finishing as a Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2008, Kheli Dube (Bucks 2005-2007; right) followed up in 2009 with a strong showing. The ever dangerous New England Revolution striker tied for the team lead in goals with eight, and garnered Player of the Week status after hitting his first professional hat trick on August 23 in a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. This past Sunday, the Zimbabwe native helped the Revs to a 2-1 home victory over the Chicago Fire in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. New England need only a draw in the second leg for advancement, this Saturday, November 7, LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:30 PM.

After spending last season with Miami FC (USL-1), defender Eric Brunner (2007) became a mainstay in the Crew backline in 2009, appearing in 25 matches and tallying a goal and assist. Brunner’s play helped the club to its second successive Supporters Shield and the first seed in the MLS Cup playoffs. The Crew suffered a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake last Saturday in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals and will need a 2-0 victory or greater in Thursday night’s second leg to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Catch the match LIVE on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM.

After spending most of the season on loan to USL-2’s Real Maryland with former Bucks Dave Hertel (2008-09) and Fabien Lewis (2008), Mike Holody (2006-08) returned to the Colorado Rapids in late August, appearing in four matches and scoring his first professional goal in a 3-2 loss to Toronto FC on September 12. Holody’s return to Denver saw him team with former Bucks Pat Noonan (2002) and Jacob Peterson (2004). Peterson notched two goals and two assists before going down with a knee injury, while Noonan hit the back of the net twice.

After winning the 2008 MLS Cup and Supporters Shield with the Columbus Crew, striker George Josten helped the Portland Timbers to the best regular season record in the USL First Division this season, recording five goals and four assists in the process and helping the Timbers to a USL-record 24 match unbeaten streak.

Tiyi Shipalane (2006-08) spent most of the 2009 season with USL-2’s Harrisburg City Islanders, tallying six goals and six assists for 18 points. The play was good enough Shipalane to be recognized on the Second Division’s All-League team, as well as being named 2009 USL-2 Rookie of the Year. Following the completion of the City Islanders season, Shipalane joined DC United on loan through the end of 2009 and featured for the club in the CONCACAF Champions League.

College Update

Michigan – Senior striker Mauro Fuzetti, leads the Wolverines with eight goals and sits second on the team in points with 19. Junior defender Chase Tennant has tallied one goal and three assists, including a helper in Michigan’s 2-0 win over Cincinnati on October 14. Senior defender Julian Robles has played in every match this season for the Wolverines, helping the team record six shutouts. After a thrilling 1-0 overtime defeat of #12 Northwestern yesterday afternoon, the Wolverines sit at 10-5-1 (2-3-0 Big Ten) on the season and will wrap up the regular season this Saturday, November 7 against Ohio State in Columbus (LIVE on Big Ten Network at 6:00 PM).

UMBC - Andrew Bulls has tallied 15 goals and 10 assists for the Retrievers in 2009, putting him in the lead nationally in goals and points, with 40. The sophomore midfielder is averaging 2.35 points per game and just under a goal a game (0.88). After dropping a 4-0 result to Binghamton last Saturday night, the Retrievers finished the regular season at 12-5-0. Bulls and Co. will have a chance at revenge against the same team, this Saturday, November 7 in the America East quarterfinals.

Michigan State – Junior midfielder Spencer Thompson has been a force in the Spartan midfield, tallying two goals and four assists so far this season. On October 25, the Shelby Township native scored the first goal and assisted on the second in State’s 2-1 victory over Michigan. At 10-4-2 (2-3-0 Big Ten), the Spartans are riding a five-match unbeaten run and will visit #1 Akron (15-0-0) on Wednesday night.

Oakland – Senior forward Stefan St. Louis has paced the Grizzlies this season with four goals and an assist in 13 matches. The Trinidadian last scored in a 2-0 victory over IFPW on October 10. Fellow countryman, senior defender Machel James has been a force on the Grizzlies backline, starting every match this season, and helping the Grizzlies to seven clean sheets. Under the tutelage of first-year coach and former Bucks goalkeeper Eric Pogue, Oakland (9-4-2) clinched the Summit League regular season championship Saturday night with a 2-1 overtime win at UMKC. Perfect so far in league play (5-0-0), the Grizzlies end the regular season at Western Illinois Saturday, November 7.

Wisconsin – Senior midfielder Eric Conklin has tallied two goals and an assist for the Badgers in 2009. At 6-6-2 overall, Wisconsin sit third in the Big Ten with a 3-3-0 record and will wrap up the season Saturday, November 7 at Milwaukee.  

Lindsey Wilson – Sophomore striker Moses Aduny has tallied six goals and three assists for the Blue Raiders, Most notably, Aduny struck the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Auburn University-Montgomery on October 3. With an 12-2-1 record, the Raiders are ranked third in the NAIA and have clinched the Mid South Conference regular season championship. Lindsey will awaits an opponent to be determined in the Conference tournament, set to begin this Saturday, November 7.  

George Washington – Senior forward Andy Stadler, has shown why he was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List in August, leading the Colonials in goals (nine) and points (18), last scoring on October 11, in a 4-1 loss to Saint Louis . Senior defender Nikolay Aleksandrov has helped the team earn six clean sheets. With three regular season conference matches remaining, the Colonials (9-7-0) next host Rhode Island on Friday, November 6, before closing out the regular season two days later against UMASS.

Vermont – Senior striker T.J. Gore led the Catamounts with five assists in 2009. The team finished the regular season at 1-10-5 (1-4-2 America East)

Temple – Junior goalkeeper Bret Mollon has been a force at the back for the Owls, appearing in all 16 matches and recording an 8-4-2 record, tallying six shutouts along the way. Mollon most recently made eight saves in a 0-0 draw against Fordham on Sunday afrternoon. Temple closes out the regular season with two home matches this weekend against Saint Louis (Friday) and Charlotte (Sunday.

Notre Dame – Senior defender John Schaefer has appeared in all 18 matches for the Fighting Irish this season, tallying one goal in the process. Last Saturday Notre Dame knocked off #5 Connecticut 2-1 in overtime. With an 8-3-0 conference record, the Irish won the Big East regular season championship, and will play in the conference tournament this Saturday, November 7, against an opponent to be determined.

UWGB – Sophomore midfielder Tony Wallshas tallied three goals and an assist, helping the Phoenix to a 12-2-2 record and to the top of the Horizon League standings. Green Bay can clinch the Horizon League regular season championship with a win over Loyala this Saturday, November 7.