Bridgeview, IL (July 3, 2007) -- Michigan Bucks super-sub Kenny Uzoigwe came off the bench in the second half to score his third game winning goal of the season; one that would challenge for PDL goal of the year in the Bucks 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire Premier.  The defending PDL Champion Bucks would continue their dominance over their Great Lakes Division rival during the past twelve months (three consecutive victories), as they look to reclaim the division title from Chicago for the first time since 2001.  Remarked Coach Dan Fitzgerald after the game, “Chicago has been the champion of this division long enough.  We dominated the Great Lakes from 1996-2000 and they have done the same the past six years.  It is about time we reverse that.”  With the win, the Bucks (8-0-3, 27 points) move further ahead of the Fire (6-3-4, 22 points) with the season sweep and are one of only three unbeaten teams of the 63 clubs in the PDL.  The Bucks last league loss goes back one full year, when they were last beaten by Chicago.

This match was the normal physical battle played between the two clubs and was filled with excellent ball handling and counter attacking for the full 90 minutes.  The Bucks would strike first in the 19th minute when Ty Shipalane (Lindsey Wilson) blew by two defenders and sent a cross along the six yard box that was neatly slotted home by Bucks leading scorer Khelli Dube (Coastal Carolina).  Dube’s ninth goal of the season would not hold up into halftime as Chicago won a mad scramble in front of Bucks goal keeper Steve Clark (Oakland) who made two fine saves before the third rebound was put by him for a 1-1 tie.

The Bucks continued to pound the offensive end of the pitch in the second half and squandered several fine counter attacking chances that could have put the game away.  But as usual, when all else fails, bring on Kenny to finish the job.  Uzoigwe created several great opportunities, but the one he finished will go down as the goal of his career.  In the 86th minute, with the score still tied at 1-1, the crafty forward from Toledo stole the ball from a Fire defender and found himself all alone at the corner flag.  After turning his defender twice, Uzoigwe calmly nut megged him from outside the end line, pushed the ball twice from the corner and somehow curled a shot from an impossible angle into the side netting for the game winner.  After the game, Kenny could only smile and reinforce his positive role on the team.  “I am just happy to be a part of this great organization.  I promised (Bucks owner Dan Duggan) DD that I would make a difference in this game tonight because we know how important this win is to everyone in our organization.  I know he would have liked me to do it much earlier in the game, but I believe he is quite satisfied with my ability to deliver on my promise.  We still have a lot more work to do, but getting a season sweep over Chicago is a huge accomplishment.”

The Bucks will look to increase their record unbeaten streak to 20 games with a road game this Saturday night, July 7 at John Carroll University, where they meet the Cleveland Internationals for the third and final time this season.  The Bucks will then return home on Saturday, July 14 against the West Michigan Edge at Lake Orion High School.  Kick off for both of these matches is 7:00 PM.

TICKETS TO SEE DAVID BECKHAM, COLUMBUS CREW AND THE BUCKS ARE GOING FAST!

The Bucks special ticket packages to see the double header Michigan Bucks/Ft. Wayne Fever and the Columbus Crew/ Toronto FC Major League Soccer game on Sunday, July 22 at Crew Stadium are moving fast.  Ticket packages include the two games on July 22 and a ticket to Beckham’s only scheduled visit to Columbus this year on September 30 and are available by going to the Bucks web site and clicking on the Crew/Beckham ticket link.  Tickets that include the bus trip to Columbus on July 22 need to be ordered by this weekend.

For more information, visit the team web site at buckssoccer.com.

Michigan Bucks vs. Chicago Fire Premier
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
July 3, 2007