Michigan Bucks

FT. WAYNE TIES BUCKS WITH LATE EQUALIZER

First place Bucks squander several opportunities for road win

Ft. Wayne, IN (July 8 , 2008) - The Michigan Bucks did everything possible Tuesday night to put away the Ft. Wayne Fever in route to capturing the Great Lakes Division title in the Premier Development Leagues (PDL) Central Conference; except finishing the job. After playing with a 1-0 lead most of the game on a goal from Billy Weaver (Lake Orion, Indiana University), the Bucks continued to pound the ball at the solid Fever defense but could not penetrate the goal to put the game away. Bucks leading scorer Kenny Uzoigwe missed a penalty kick in the 70th minute that would have put the Bucks in front to stay. After giving up a counter attacking goal in the 83rd minute to tie the game, the Bucks (11-1-1) created three more stellar chances to recapture their lead and remain the front runner in the Central Conference and the all important playoff bye; but finishing was just not in the cards. The Bucks come home this Saturday night for a rematch with the Chicago Fire at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 kickoff). Preceding the PDL match with two of the top franchises in USL history will be the Michigan Bucks Reunion game, featuring former Bucks players from the first twelve seasons coached by Bucks Hall of Famers Steve Burns and Jim Duggan. Tickets for both matches (which will begin at 5:15 PM) are $14 VIP reserved, $10 Adult reserved (16 and over) and $5 Youth reserved. Children 5 and under are always free to Bucks games. Chicago is sitting in first place in the Midwest Division of the Central Conference over Kalamazoo, while a win for the Bucks will give them the Great Lakes Division title and keep them in the driver’s seat for a first round playoff bye. To purchase tickets online through Ticketmaster, please visit the Bucks web site at buckssoccer.com.

SEVERAL FORMER BUCKS STARS SET TO PLAY IN THE FIRST REUNION GAME

Prior to this Saturday’s Central Conference showdown with the Chicago Fire, former Bucks players representing each of the first twelve seasons in the United Soccer League’s (USL) PDL will be showcased in the first ever Bucks Reunion Match. Scheduled to appear in the Reunion match are Bucks Hall of Famers Tino Scicluna and Paul Snape, who will be honorary team captains for the Green and White (respectively). The two teams will be coached by Hall of Famers Steve Burns and Jim Duggan. In addition to many local Bucks heroes that did not get drafted to Major League Soccer over the years, some of the Bucks 25 draftees should be in action as well. Former MLS draft picks Eric Pogue (New England Revolution), Knox Cameron (Columbus Crew), Ryan Mack (Chicago Fire) and Justin Detter (Kansas City Wizards) are expected to make an appearance if their schedule permits. In addition to bringing back over a decade of soccer excellence in Michigan, it will also be the first time many of the Bucks players from the 2006 PDL Championship team will be back in action together, including Erik Nelson, Adam Brent and Brady Vance. Highlighting the evening will be the family reunion of the WAZA brothers (Dominic, Mario and Tino Scicluna) who all started with the Bucks in the early years and all played together for two seasons for the Bucks in their original home in Saginaw (as the Mid Michigan Bucks) back in 1996 and 1997.

Match Report

Michigan Bucks vs. Ft. Wayne Fever
Hefner Stadium

Ft. Wayne, IN

July 9, 2008

Scoring Summary:
MICH -- Billy Weaver 1 (Kenny Uzoigwe 1) - 27th minute
FTW -- Nick Wilson (Brent Helton) - 84th minute

Lineups:

Michigan: 25-Steve Clark, 4-Kyle Russell, 5-Fabien Lewis, 22-Ian Daniel (24-Nosa Iyoha '89), 15-Dave Hertel, 20-Adam Brent (17-Piotr Nowak '77), 13-Zac Scaffidi, 7-Ty Shipalane, 23-Billy Weaver (12-Hewerton '58), 18-Doug DeMartin, 10-Kenny Uzoigwe (6-Stefan St. Louis '82)

Ft. Wayne: 00-Jon Bilinksi, 18-Mark Weigand, 3-Josh Sommers, 20-Trevor Peaslee, 2-Bonivenger Misiko, 16-Harrison Heller (10-Nick Wilson '80), 9-Chase Jones (11-Brent Helton '77), 8-Cameron Jordan, 19-Byram Muteshi (7-Jacob Capito '59), 10-Gary Boughton, 5-Jesse Sharp (4-Kegan Harkenrider '64)

Misconduct Summary:
FTW - Byram Muteshi (caution) - 21st minute
MICH - Dave Hertel (caution) 43rd minute

Statistics:
Shots: Michigan 12, Ft. Wayne 10

Saves: Michigan 4, Ft. Wayne 5
Fouls: Michigan 18, Ft. Wayne 15

Offsides: Michigan 3, Ft. Wayne 3

Corners: Michigan 5, Ft. Wayne 1

Referees: Rizal Milliken, Andra Bigelow, Alan Severs

Attendance: 314