Saginaw, MI (June 24, 2007) -- The 2006 Premier Development League (PDL) North American Champion Michigan Bucks (7-0-3) continued their dominance in the Great Lakes Division with a convincing 5-1 win over the Indiana Invaders last night in the team’s return to Saginaw.  Last night’s PDL match was played in front of the fourth largest Saginaw crowd in team history (942) as part of the 14th Annual Saginaw 7-11 Soccer Classic at the Saginaw Soccer Complex.  The Bucks started their storied career based out of Saginaw from 1996 to 2001, before moving the franchise south to the Detroit area.  This year’s team paid tribute to the great Mid-Michigan Buck’s teams, by breaking out the same uniforms the Bucks wore in their classic US Open Cup matches against MLS teams in 1999 and 2000 for pre-game warm-ups.  The homecoming overflow crowd was not only treated to a dominating Bucks performance on the field, but to a halftime presentation that saw the latest three Bucks legends inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.

The boys from Michigan got the scoring started early when defender Eric Brunner (Ohio State) headed home a free kick from team scoring leader Khelli Dube (Coastal Carolina) in the 5th minute.  Bucks nemesis Saidi Isaac tied the game in the 18th minute, tallying his fourth goal of the season against the Bucks.  Isaac has four of the six goals the Bucks have surrendered in the first ten games this year.  Michigan kept constant pressure on the Invaders defense and would have blown the game wide open before halftime if not for several stellar saves by Indiana goal keeper Justin Holmes.  Dube kept his constant high pressure the entire first half and was unlucky to not be credited for the Bucks second goal when he forced a defensive error that was credited as an own goal in the 39th minute.

The second half started as the first half ended, with the Bucks pressing furiously looking to create turnovers and mistakes from the Indiana defense.  They finally broke through for the third goal in the 69th minute when Kyle Russell’s throw-in bounced into the box, only to be pounced on by second half super sup Kenny Uzoigwe.  Kenny beat goal keeper Holmes to the ball and slotted home his first goal of the night to make the score 3-1.  Kenny continued to impress the excited crowd with his speed and skill when he darted into the penalty area in the 85th minute, only to be sandwiched and pulled down by a pair of Invader defenders.  Uzoigwe slotted home the PK for a 4-1 margin.  Khelli Dube scored another brilliant goal in mop up time, as he converted a pass from George Josten (Gonzaga). 

The Bucks 2007 class of the Hall of Fame included former player (1998-99) Benji Djeukeng, original head coach Steve Burns (1996-1999) and former Bucks co-owner and general manager (1996-2005) Jim Duggan.  The three Bucks legends, who all have ties to the original team in Saginaw, join the 2002 class inductees Tino Scicluna and Paul Snape.  The highlight of the evening was Djeukeng’s fond memories of his two summers in Saginaw where he lived, worked, did camps and grew to appreciate the fine people of Mid Michigan on a personal basis.  "I was touched beyond words when I learned I was selected for this great honor," said the humbled Cameroon native.  "I was not sure I would be able to make the game due to work and family commitments.  But when Dan [Duggan] told me we were doing it in Saginaw, I told my boss and wife that I had to be there.  This is where I became a professional soccer player, where the Bucks started and where I gained my first real experience in dealing with soccer people and coaching young kids.  I love this place and judging from the incredible crowd tonight, this place still loves and appreciates the Bucks and what they have done to help develop soccer in Mid Michigan over the past twelve years."

The Bucks look forward to a week off before traveling to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL to take on the second place Chicago Fire Premier on Tuesday, July 3.  The Bucks next home game is Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 against the West Michigan Edge at Lake Orion High School.  The team will be making a special announcement early in the week about tickets for their upcoming game at Columbus Crew Stadium on July 22, as well as an opportunity to see David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy when they visit Columbus later this year.   A limited amount of tickets have been given to the Bucks to sell to their INSIDERS and will go on sale this Tuesday.

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

Indiana Invaders vs. Michigan Bucks
Saginaw Soccer Complex
June 23, 2007

Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Eric Brunner 2 (Khelli Dube 2) ’5
IND -- Saidi Isaac (Ryan Stewart) ’18
MICH -- own goal (Greg Preciado)
MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe 6 (unassisted) ’69
MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe 7 (penalty kick) ’85
MICH -- Khelli Dube 8 (George Josten 1) ’90+

Lineups:

Indiana: 1-Justin Holmes, 22-Hugo Gonzalez, 7-Michael Giffin (26-Serginho Sandy ’69), 24-Andrew Benton, 17-Ryan Stewart, 15-Justin Murrow, 5-Arran Horton (21-Eric Meister ’57), 20-Dave Donohue, 25-Kyle Dagan (4-Greg Preciado ’37), 3-Mamba Chisoni, 12-Saidi Isaac
Head Coach: Rick King

Michigan: 25-Steve Clark, 22-Ian Daniel, 3-Mike Holody (12-Joe Donoho ’88), 4-Kyle Russell, 23-Eric Brunner, 16-Nik Djokic (13-John Palladino ’85), 14-Alex Morisset, 17-Piotr Nowak, 7-Ty Shipalane
(11-Steve Bonnell ’88), 21-Khelli Dube, 6-Xavier Balc (10-Kenny Uzoigwe ’59, 9-George Josten ’90+)
Head Coach: Dan Fitzgerald

Misconduct Summary
IND -- Ryan Stewart (caution) ’34
MICH -- Mike Holody (caution) ’40
IND -- Samba Chisoni (caution) ’45+
IND – Michael Giffin (caution) ‘54
MICH – Kenny Uzoigwe (caution) ‘63
IND – Serginho Sandy (caution) ‘76

Shots: Indiana 8, Michigan 20 
Saves: Indiana 11, Michigan 3
Fouls: Indiana 15, Michigan 18
Offsides: Indiana 4, Michigan 4
Corners: Indiana 5, Michigan 7

Referees: Steve Scanio, Kent Timm, Jason Curry, Jeff Sonntag