Pontiac, MI (June 19, 2008) - The Michigan Bucks lost their first match of the 2008 Premier Development League campaign tonight, falling 1-0 to the Toronto Lynx. With the loss, the Bucks fall to 8-1-0, but maintain 1st place in the PDL’s Great Lakes Division.
The Bucks came out dominant in the first half, peppering the Toronto goal for 12 shots. Lynx keeper Nils Binstock was equal to everything and made a couple spectacular saves to keep the scoreline even. Binstock’s work paid off for the Lynx in the 26th minute when a counter attack led to Toronto forward Jean Tshimpaka being taken down in the box by Bucks keeper Bret Mollon (Washington Twp./Temple), forcing the referee to point to the spot. Toronto captain Chris Deabreu stepped up and slotted the ensuing penalty passed Mollon to put the Lynx ahead 1-0. The Bucks continued the pressure before halftime, but the Lynx dropped back into a defensive shell and couldn’t be broken down. Bucks captain Mike Holody (Clarkston/University of Michigan) also received a vicious elbow to the face, with Referee Clifton Ellis only awarding a yellow card to the offending Tshimpaka.
In the 2nd half the Bucks maintained most of the pressure but couldn’t break through the Lynx wall of defense. Perhaps the best chance came in the 67th minute off a corner kick delivered from Nate Jafta (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson). Finding Kenny Uzoigwe (Toledo) on the far post, Kenny’s header trickled all the way through the box before going out. Throughout the rest of the second half the Lynx were able to maintain their defensive shell and made calculated subs to keep fresh legs on the field and kill time. Despite dominating the match in shots, 18-5, and corner kicks, 9-1, by full time the Bucks were unable to find the equalizer.
Bucks head coach Dan Fitzgerald was frustrated with the loss but eager to find some positive from the only blemish on the team’s perfect season at the half way point. "The good news is now we don’t have to field any more questions about going undefeated this season. No team in the history of the PDL has even gone through a season undefeated and won the PDL Championship and I don’t believe it will ever happen in my lifetime," said Fitz. "There are just too many good teams and too much soccer talent in North America for any team to pull off such a feat for 20 consecutive matches. When we looked at the division and the schedule in the Central Conference in pre season, we determined that it would take 13 wins in the regular season to get a first round bye in the playoffs. I think that is still the number. If we are going to achieve the goals we set, we are going to have to finish our chances. We squandered several first half opportunities to put the game away. Give Toronto credit- goalkeeper Binstock was the man of the match."
The Bucks will look to avenge the loss this Saturday, June 21 when they visit the Kalamazoo Outrage at Mayors Riverfront Park in downtown Kalamazoo. Kickoff is 8:00 PM. The Bucks next home game is Saturday July 5 when the Cincinnati Kings make their first trip to Ultimate Soccer Arenas. Kickoff is 7:30 PM. As always tickets are VIP- $14, Adult Reserved -$10, Youth Reserved -$5.
For more information on the Bucks 2008 PDL Campaign go to buckssoccer.com.
Toronto Lynx vs. Michigan Bucks
Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Pontiac, MI
June 19, 2008
Scoring Summary:
TOR -- Chris Deabreu - 26th minute
Lineups:
Toronto: 1-Nils Binstock, 6-John Jonke, 22-Chris Mitchell (12-Josh Stephens ’57), 3-Lloyd Grist, 7-Chris Deabreu, 8-Vince Petrasso (16-Steve Soutar ’73), 10-Derek Rios (21-Lukas Risto ’87), 23-Damion Scott (4-Matthew Smith ’46), 13-Mikael McNamara, 9-Daniel Revivo (19-Anthony Bahadur ’45+), 11-Jean Tshimpaka (13-Sherif El Masri ’84)
Michigan: 1-Bret Mollon, 4-Kyle Russell, 3-Mike Holody, 22-Ian Daniel, 15-Dave Hertel (9-Mauro Fuzetti ’73), 17-Piotr Nowak (6-Stefan St. Louis ’78), 14-Alex Morisset (13-Zac Scaffidi ’59), 16-Nik Djokic (7-Ty Shipalane ’55), 8-Nate Jafta, 18-Doug DeMartin (11-Bes Bega ’67), 10-Kenny Uzoigwe
Misconduct Summary:
TOR - Jean Tshimpaka (caution) - 45th minute
TOR - Chris Deabreu (caution) - 57th minute
TOR - Anthony Bahadur (caution) -77th minute
TOR - Derek Rios (caution) - 83rd minue
TOR - Lloyd Grist (caution) - 89th minute
MICH - Stefan St. Louis (caution) - 90th minute
Stats:
Shots: Toronto 5, Michigan 18
Saves: Toronto 5, Michigan 1
Fouls: Toronto 15, Michigan 9
Offsides: Toronto 4, Michigan 2
Corners: Toronto 1, Michigan 9
