Cleveland, OH (June 8, 2007)- The 2006 North American Champion Michigan Bucks had a much easier time with the Cleveland Internationals the second time around, as they cruised to a 5-0 win to secure their spot in first place in the Great Lakes Division in the United Soccer League's (USL) Premier Development League (PDL). The Bucks (5-0-2) stellar defense racked up their league leading fifth shutout in seven games, all registered by goalkeeper Steve Clark (Oakland). Mike Holody (Michigan), the Bucks iron man in the back line celebrated his selection to the PDL Team of the Week by turning in another solid performance in front of Clark.
As usual, the Bucks relied on their quick strike offense to simplify matters. Tonight it took only four minutes for Cleveland native Xavier Balc (Ohio State) to find his Big Ten teammate Doug DeMartin (Michigan State), who smacked home the first goal of the evening. In the 26th minute, Alex Morisette (Michigan) found a wide open Khelli Dube (Coastal Carolina) on the right side. Dube ripped a blast into the side netting from 15 yards out that gave the Bucks a 2-0 lead. Dube would continue his dominant play to grab man of the match honors, when he added an assist on Balc's first goal of the year (46th minute) and scored his team leading seventh goal when he finished an incredible run and cross from Ty Shipalane (Lindsey Wilson). Bucks newcomers Steve Brust (Bradley) and Nic Djokic combined for the final goal in the closing minutes to finish the scoring.
The Bucks now turn to US Open Cup play when they travel to Richmond, VA Tuesday to take on the USL-2 Richmond Kickers (one level higher than the PDL Bucks in the professional soccer hierarchy). The Bucks have had their way with the professional teams from the Second Division in the past US Open Cup tournaments, having beaten all five USL 2 teams they have played since their first entry into the Cup in 1997. This year the Bucks game in Richmond should prove to be their toughest challenge to date. The Kickers are the USL-2 National Champions from last year, so Tuesday's match will be the first time in Open Cup history when the defending PDL champs and defending USL-2 champs will go head to head.
To keep up with the Bucks player statistics, schedule and progress throughout the season; please visit the team web site at buckssoccer.com. For the most comprehensive coverage of the 2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament, please visit usopencup.com.
Michigan Bucks vs. Cleveland Internationals
St. Edwards High School
June 8, 2007
Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Doug DeMartin (Xavier Balc) '4
MICH -- Khelli Dube (Alex Morisette) '26
MICH -- Xavier Balc (Khelli Dube) '47
MICH -- Khelli Dube (Ty Shipalane) '62
MICH -- Steve Brust (Nick Djokic) '89
Lineups:
Cleveland: 0-Evan Bush, 2-Corey Sipos, 18-Joe Nagbe (10-Jordan Webb '81), 5-Chris Korb, 13-Ryan Hall (16-Adam Ross '50), 6-Mitch Boyer, 26-Matt Tutich, 23-Jon Brickman, 7-Darlington Nagbe (9-Kevin Pitorak '65), 14-Michael Nanchoff, 8-Steve Gillespie (17-Kwame Oduro '60)
Subs not used: 12-Zach Lewis, 15-Rick King Jr., 21-Jason Whitehead
Head Coach: Tony Dore
Michigan: 25-Steve Clark, 3-Mike Holody, 12-Joe Donoho, 4-Kyle Russell (22-Ian Daniel '74), 14-Alex Morriset, 17-Piotr Nowak, 16-Nik Djokic, 7-Ty Shiplane (11-Steve Bonnell '69), 18-Doug DeMartin (9-George Josten '64) 6-Xavier Balc (10-Kenny Uzoigwe '55), 21-Khelli Dube (8-Nate Jafta '69)
Subs not used: 19-Steve Brust
Head Coach: Dan Fitzgerald
Misconduct Summary
CLE -- Chris Korb '20 (caution)
CLE -- Kevin Pitorak '76 (caution)
CLE -- Kwame Oduro 86 (caution)
Shots: Cleveland 7, Michigan 14
Saves: Cleveland 6, Michigan 5
Fouls: Cleveland 14, Michigan 8
Offsides: Cleveland 2, Michigan 1
Corners: Cleveland 3, Michigan 3
Referees: Daniel Durnell, Matthew Kinder, Andrew Coffman, Michael Kinder
