Kheli Dube and Jacob Peterson are up for end of the year MLS Awards
Dube for MLS Rookie of the Year
Former three year Bucks Striker Kheli Dube was named as a finalist for 2008 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year. The Zimbabwe native, who was not selected during the 2008 SuperDraft in January, was taken by the New England Revolution in the Supplemental Draft a week later. In addition to the MLS league schedule, in which Dube made 21 appearances, he also helped the Revs to the SuperLiga Championship and to the semi-finals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, as well as taking part in the newly formed CONCACAF Champions League. Across all competitions this season he tallied 5 goals and 5 assists. Dube was an integral member of the Bucks from 2005-2007, making 41 appearances and scoring 25 goals, helping to lead the side to the 2006 North American Championship.
The MLS Rookie of the Year award is scheduled to be announced Thursday, November 13. The other finalists are Los Angeles Galaxy defender Sean Franklin and Houston Dynamo midfielder Geoff Cameron.
Peterson for MLS Goal of the Year
Another Bucks alum, Jacob Peterson has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Year. The goal, scored in a 2-0 win over DC United on May 5 has Peterson receiving a one-time pass from Christian Gomez which he struck at the top of the 18, leaving United keeper Zach Wells helpless. Peterson played for the Bucks during the 2004 season, appearing in 10 matches.
See the goal and vote for Jacob by clicking here. Voting to select the winner will begin Thursday, November 13.
Holody is National Player of the Week, DeMartin Leads the Country in Goals, Clark is on a 5 Match Shutout Streak
Michigan – Since our last update on October 14, Michigan has gone 2-2-0 in 4 matches, losing 1-0 to both Michigan State (10/18) and #5 Akron (10/22) but beating #2 Northwestern 3-1 (10/25) and Ohio State 1-0 (11/1). In the match against the Wildcats striker Mauro Fuzetti scored his 8th and 9th goals of the season, handing Northwestern their first loss of the season.
Additionally, Bucks and Wolverines captain Mike Holody was named the NSCAA National Player of the Week on October 29 for his efforts in the matches against Akron and Northwestern. Holody became the second Wolverine and Bucks player to earn the honor this year; Jake Stacy was honored on October 8. Holody was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week two days earlier.
The #18 Wolverines (11-4-2; 3-1-1 Big Ten) close out the regular season Saturday, November 8 against Penn State in Ann Arbor (2 PM kickoff).
Notable: In the Michigan State match, 11 former Bucks combined took the field for the two teams, (Michigan: Fuzetti, Holody, Stacy, Alex Morisset; Santos Perez and Steve Bonnell played for the Bucks in 2007).
Oakland – The Golden Grizzlies have gone 4-0-0 since our last update on October 14, scoring 9 goals and conceding 0. On October 17, Oakland squeaked out a 1-0 win in at IPFW with Steve Clark making 5 saves for the clean sheet. On October 25, the Grizzlies defeated IUPUI 3-0 in Indianapolis behind two goals from striker Stefan St. Louis and a single tally from Gabe Hernandez (Bucks ’07).
Three days later, Oakland posted another 3-0 win at Detroit-Mercy with St. Louis tallying his 6th goal and midfielder Piotr Nowak providing his 3rd goal of the season. November 1 was Senior Night for the Grizzlies and the Oakland based Bucks were able to take their final regular season bow at their summer home, Ultimate Soccer Arenas, coming away with a 2-0 win over Southern Illinois. Both goals came from Bucks players with Stefan St. Louis opening the scoring in the 3rd minute. Ian Daniel proved he has a scoring touch to go along with his defensive capabilities, scoring off a header two minutes later. Steve Clark made 2 saves for the shutout, his 5th in a row and 10th on the season.
The Golden Grizzlies (12-4-0; 5-1-0 Summit) can clinch the Summit League regular season championship with a draw or better at UM-Kansas City on November 8, before hosting the league tournament beginning November 14.
Michigan State – Since the 3-0 loss to Notre Dame on October 8, the Spartans have righted the ship, currently riding a 7-match unbeaten streak (6-0-1). Following their 1-0 win over Michigan on October 18, striker Doug DeMartin was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the 2nd time this season.
The Spartans set out on a 3-game non-conference schedule vs. Cincinnati (2-0 win on 10/22), vs. Valparaiso (0-0 T on 10/26) and at Bowling Green (4-0 win on 10/29). DeMartin and midfielder Zac Scaffidi tallied the goals in the win over Cincy, with DeMartin again tallying, adding the 4th goal in the match against Bowling Green.
The Spartans finished off their Big Ten schedule with a 1-0 win over Northwestern on November 2 in East Lansing. Again DeMartin was involved, recording the game winning assist. The victory clinched the Big Ten Regular Season Championship for MSU and longtime coach Joe Baum, who will retire at the end of the season. The #25 ranked Spartans have completed their regular season schedule and will next take the field in the Big Ten Tournament to be held in Madison, WI beginning November 13.
Notable: In the Michigan match, 11 former Bucks combined took the field for the two teams, (Michigan State: DeMartin, Scaffidi, Dave Hertel, Nosa Iyoha, and Spencer Thompson).
Wake Forest – Since the beginning of the season Luke Norman has featured in 15 of 17 matches for the #1 ranked Demon Deacons, recording 2 goals and an assist in his freshman season. Most notably, Norman scored in a 6-2 over #14 Santa Barbara on September 23. The Demon Deacons who are 16-0-1 (6-0-1 in ACC) and have clinched the ACC Regular Season Championship will close our their season November 7 at Virginia before beginning the ACC Tournament November 11 in Cary, NC.
Temple – Bret Mollon earned two shutouts in matches at Richmond (0-0 T on 10/19) and against St. Joes (2-0 on 10/25). Mollon has 7 clean sheets this season and a 0.94 Goals Against Average. The Owls are 9-4-3 and will host Fordham this Friday November 7 in Philadelphila.
Coastal Carolina – Kyle Russell has anchored the Costal Carolina backline, playing in all 16 matches this season for the Chanticleers. Coastal sits at 8-7-1 on the season and will host Winthrop on Wednesday, November 5.
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