Michigan Bucks

BUCKS FALL TO CLEVELAND IN OPEN CUP

Put focus on rest of PDL season

Ty Shipalane scored early

Pontiac, MI (June 10, 2008) - The Michigan Bucks of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) fell 2-1 Thursday night to the USL Second Division’s Cleveland City Stars in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Bucks, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when midfielder Ty Shipalane (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson) used his blazing speed to pounce on a miscue between a Stars defender and goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap in the 4th minute. The Bucks were pressured early and often all over the field but held their shape together well, until the 23rd minute when a low cross from Stars midfielder Sallieu Bundu found striker Floyd Franks in the box, equalizing the match 1-1. Eleven minutes later the Bucks let their guard down again and this time it was Franks crossing and finding the head of Neil Hlavaty to put the City Stars up 2-1 going into the half.

The Bucks came out strong in the 2nd half, looking for the equalizing goal. Coach Dan Fitzgerald subbed Nate Jafta (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson) and Doug DeMartin (Mason/Michigan State) into the match in the 54th minute to provide an offensive spark. Jafta’s presence settled the Bucks and gave the side control of the match. Piotr Nowak’s (Sterling Heights/Oakland) long bomb from 30 yards in the 64th minute looked to make it 2-2 but Gilstrap was able to make a valiant save. Four minutes later, a cross from Dave Hertel (Holland, MI/Michigan State) found the head of Ian Daniel (Troy/Oakland), but the defender put it just over the bar. The Bucks pressed until the end of the match, but it wasn’t to be, with the match ending 2-1.

Despite tonight’s loss, the club remains the only undefeated side at the halfway point in the 67-team PDL and will try to continue their undefeated streak Thursday June 19th against the Toronto Lynx at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 pm kickoff). Tickets are available through TicketMaster and are $14 VIP, $10 Adult Reserved, $5 Youth Reserved, with children 5 and under always free to Bucks games.

For more information on the Michigan Bucks please visit our website at buckssoccer.com

Match Report

Cleveland City Stars vs. Michigan Bucks
Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Pontiac, MI
June 10, 2008

Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Ty Shipalane (unassisted) - 4th minute
CLE -- Floyd Franks (Sallieu Bundu) - 23rd minute
CLE -- Neil Hlavaty (Floyd Franks) - 34th minute

Cleveland: 1-Hunter Gilstrap, 4-Jeremy Tolleson, 5-Neil Hlavaty, 10-Derek Potteiger, 11-Sallieu Bundu, 13-Mark Schulte, 14-Anthony Stovall, 18-Luke WIlliams (25-Ryan Miller ’76), 21-Adam Ruud (7-Ian Leibbrant ’72), 23-Floyd Franks, 8-Godfrey Tenoff

Michigan: 25-Steve Clark, 3-Mike Holody, 22-Ian Daniel, 5-Fabien Lewis, 15-Dave Hertel (9-Mauro Fuzetti ’82), 13-Zac Scaffidi, 17-Piotr Nowak (6-Stefan St. Louis ’86), 14-Alex Morisset (18-Doug DeMartin ’54), 11-Bes Bega (8-Nate Jafta ’54), 7-Ty Shipalane, 10-Kenny Uzoigwe

Misconduct Summary:
CLE -- Adam Ruud (caution) - 29th minute
MICH -- Piotr Nowak (caution) - 47th minute
CLE -- Neil Hlavaty (caution) -68th minute
MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe (caution) - 85th minute
CLE -- Mark Schulte (caution) - 90th minute

Shots: Cleveland 6, Michigan 8
Saves: Cleveland 1, Michigan 2
Fouls: Cleveland 13, Michigan 17
Corners: Cleveland 5, Michigan 4
Offsides: Cleveland 5, Michigan 3

Officials: Mike Sharrah, Clifton Ellis, Chad Uhlinger, Kent Timm