Pontiac, MI (May 17, 2008)- The Michigan Bucks opened their thirteenth season in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) with a 3-0 shutout of the West Virginia Chaos Saturday night at their new home at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The Bucks picked up where they left off last season as a high scoring dominating second half team after the Chaos battled the home side to a scoreless draw at halftime. The Bucks began the offensive attack early with the speed and combination play of Nate Jafta (Lindsey Wilson College), Ty Shipalane (Lindsey Wilson) , Kenny Uzoigwe and Nik Djokic (Livonia, Wayne State), which provided three golden scoring opportunities in the games first ten minutes. The veteran side from Michigan could sense that good things would happen in their start of qualifying for the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup if they could only break the seal and get the first goal. That happened in the 55th minute when defensive leader Mike Holody (Clarkston, University of Michigan) headed home a Nate Jafta corner kick to beat Chaos goalkeeper Adam Mitchell. Man of the Match Doug DeMartin (Mason, Michigan State University) took matters into his own hands when he came off the bench two minutes later to help the Bucks put the game away. DeMartin set up striker Kenny Uzoigwe in the 69th minute, who cracked a sizzling shot past Mitchell for a 2-0 lead. Just for good measure, DeMartin scored his first goal of the season on a beautiful individual effort nine minutes later. After stealing the ball in the Chaos end, the first team academic all American beat two West Virginia defenders, cut to his left and sent a left footed drive into the back of the net to give the Bucks a well deserved 3-0 win. Defensively, Holody kept his back line tight throughout the match and kept the pressure off goalkeeper Steve Clark (Mason, Oakland University). Clark didn’t have a busy night in the net, but managed to make a finger tip save on a rocket that was headed for goal just before the halftime whistle.

Defenders Kyle Russell (Coastal Carolina), Ian Daniel (Troy, Oakland) and Dave Hertel (Holland, MSU) tightly marked the Chaos attackers for the entire ninety minutes.

Third year head coach Dan Fitzgerald was pleased with his team’s effort on opening night. "Our plan was to attack them early and hope to get that first goal to help control the game. Nik (Djokic) provided a spark in the first 20 minutes that put pressure on West Virginia and nearly led to a couple of early strikes. We have lots to improve on as a team, but what I was really happy to see was our patience when we failed to convert in the first half. Younger teams in the past may have panicked a bit and shown frustration; but you could see in their eyes that they all believed that it was just a matter of time before we would get the first goal," said Fitzgerald. The Bucks train this week to prepare for a Wednesday evening battle with the West Michigan Edge in Grand Rapids. They return home next Saturday to play the Ft. Wayne Fever as part of the Canton Cup Soccer Tournament on Memorial Weekend (4:00 kickoff). The Bucks will need a positive result in both matches to keep their hopes alive for yet another opportunity to play in the US Open Cup.

SCHEDULE CHANGE:

The Michigan Bucks have announced that the home game on Wednesday, June 4th originally set for Ultimate Soccer Arenas has been moved to be played at Lake Orion High School. Kick off is still at 7:30 PM. Season ticket holders, flex pass holders and anyone who has purchased tickets for this match through Ticket Master will be able to use their same tickets for this match. For further information about the Bucks, please visit our web site at buckssoccer.com Match Report

May 17, 2008

Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Mike Holody (Nate Jafta) - 55th minute
MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe (Doug DeMartin) - 69th minute
MICH -- Doug DeMartin (unassisted) - 78th minute

Lineups:

West Virginia: 1-Adam Mitchell, 3-Dana Heimbecker, 15-Ash Ahmad, 21-Ryan Villiard (2-Chris Bohach ’80), 6-Victor Harrison, 8-Chris Whalley, 4-Sterling Flunder (19-Kolby LaCrone ’46), 16-Andre Akyere, 11-Jamal Gaethers, 14-Adam Arthur (9-Jack Burridge ’46), 10-James Stappleton
Subs not used: 0-Richard Ott, 18-Kash Usman, 7-Avneet Shergill, 17-Matt Dickerson
West Virginia Head Coach: Luke Ibbetson

Michigan: 25-Steve Clark, 4-Kyle Russell, 3-Mike Holody, 22-Ian Daniel (5-Fabien Lewis ’84), 15-Dave Hertel,  17-Piotr Nowak (13-Zac Scaffidi ’83), 14-Alex Morisset (20-Spencer Thompson ’83), 7-Ty Shipalane (11-Besmir Bega ’78), 8-Nate Jafta, 16-Nik Djokic, (18-Doug DeMartin ’57) 10-Kenny Uzoigwe (9-Mauro Fuzetti ’83)
Subs not used: 1-Bret Mollon
Bucks Head Coach: Dan Fitzgerald

Misconduct Summary:
WVC - Ryan Villiard - caution - 17th minute
WVC - Adam Arthur - caution - 20th minute
MICH - Alex Morisset - caution - 27th minute
MICH - Piotr Nowak - caution - 45+ minute

Statistics:
Shots: West Virginia 2, Michigan 17
Saves: West Virginia 5, Michigan 2
Fouls: West Virginia 14, Michigan 13
Offsides: West Virginia 0, Michigan 3
Corners: West Virginia 3, Michigan 7