Saline, MI (June 15, 2007) -- The 2006 Premier Development League (PDL) North American Champion Michigan Bucks took out their US Open Cup frustration on the Toronto Lynx at Saline High School tonight, 4-0. The Bucks and Lynx started off the game fairly even, but the undefeated division leaders finally took command with the first goal in the 33rd minute. Bucks leading scorer Khelli Dube (Coastal Carolina) swung a corner kick that was deflected by John Palladino (Gonzaga) and fell at the feet of Ian Daniel (Oakland) for his first goal of the year. The Bucks would continue to push the attack until the 45th minute, when Lindsey Wilson teammates Nate Jafta and Ty Shipalane hooked up for a classic "buckssoccer" goal. Jafta blew by his defender and slotted a 20 yard pass to Shipalane, who picked out the side netting just before halftime.
The Bucks came out in the second half with the same fire that they closed the first half with and looked to put the game away early. After a Lynx foul outside the top of the right corner of the box, free kick specialist John Palladino coolly slotted home a shot to put Michigan up 3-0. The Bucks would continue to press the rest of the night but could only muster one last tally when Jafta found his reliable second half running mate Kenny Uzoigwe free in the box to perform his magic. Kenny banged home his fifth goal of the season, and second against Toronto this year. The Bucks ran their record to 6-0-2 on the season and increased their unbeaten streak to 16 games, dating back to last year. The defending champions will look to equal their club record 17 game winning streak when they take on the West Michigan Edge next Wednesday.
The Bucks will return home to Saginaw on Saturday, June 23 when they take on the Indiana Invaders as part of the 14th annual Saginaw 7-11 Soccer Classic at 8:00. This will be the Bucks first return game to Saginaw since they moved to Detroit in 2002. On Saturday, the Bucks will also be inducting three important members into the Michigan Bucks Hall of Fame. Joining current members Paul Snape and Tino Scicluna are Bucks original head coach Steve Burns, fan favorite player Benji Djeukeng and former Bucks owner and General Manager Jim Duggan. Ticket information for the Bucks return to Saginaw will be released this week.
For more information, visit the team web site at buckssoccer.com.
Toronto Lynx vs. Michigan Bucks
Saline High School
June 15, 2007
Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Ian Daniel (John Palladino) ’33
MICH -- Ty Shipalane (Nate Jafta) ’45+
MICH -- John Palladino (Free Kick) ’48
MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe (Nate Jafta) ’78
Lineups:
Toronto: 00-Chris Baker, 24-Rick Titus, 18-Jamie Fairweather (10-Daniel Revivo ’46), 9-Frank Jonke, 20-Kayin Jeffers, 8-Tristan Murray (21-Dominic Oppong ’72), 5-Alex Rhue Litschke (11-Chris Deabrew ’53), 12-Mikael McNamara (13-Kevin Omokhua ’32), Sergio DeLuca, 14-Murphy Wiredu (35-Luke Stedmond ’60)
Subs not used: 1-Jon Paul Piques
Head Coach: Duncan Wilde
Michigan: 25-Steve Clark (1-Mitch Hildenbrandt ’83), 3-Mike Holody, 22-Ian Daniel, 4-Kyle Russell, 14-Alex Morriset (10-Kenny Uzoigwe ’71), 7-Ty Shiplane (16-Nik Djokic ’61), 13-John Palladino (17-Piotr Nowak ’65), 8-Nate Jafta (9-George Josten ’79), 23-Eric Brunner, 21-Khelli Dube, 18-Doug DeMartin (6-Xavier Balc ’55)
Subs not used: 12-Joe Donoho
Head Coach: Dan Fitzgerald
Misconduct Summary
TOR -- Alex Rhue Litschke ’34 (caution)
TOR -- Rick Titus ’36 (caution)
TOR -- Sergio DeLuca ’68 (caution)
MICH -- Eric Brunner ’90+ (caution)
Shots: Toronto 7, Michigan 19
Saves: Toronto 5, Michigan 0
Fouls: Toronto 14, Michigan 11
Offsides: Toronto 3, Michigan 0
Corners: Toronto 2, Michigan 7
Referees: Derrick Mroz, Roland Barger, Scott Manteuffel, YuYa Kiuchi
