Pontiac, MI (June 5, 2009)- The Michigan Bucks continued their winning ways on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over the Indiana Invaders at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The win moves the Bucks (4-1-1, 13 points) into a tie for first place in the Great Lakes Division with the Chicago Fire Premier, at least for the moment. This weekend’s division matches will have a lot to say in determining who stays in control of what is referred by many as the USL’s most difficult division. The Bucks came out flying again on Thursday and kept 80% of the possession in the first half before taking the early 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute of the game. Forward Sebe Harris (Lake Orion/ Oakland) beat two Invaders down the left flank before sending a perfect cross into the mixer, that was coolly headed home by midfielder Dave Hertel (Holland, MI/ MSU). Hertel, who was the Bucks offensive player of the game, had his way up and down the right side of the field before he snuck onto the end of Harris’ cross to score his second goal of the season- both using his head. Hertel was happy with the Bucks effort on Thursday and was quick to turn his thoughts to Sunday’s match in Kalamazoo. “I really do like playing the game on the ground, taking people on, but I will do whatever it takes to finish my chances. Now none of my teammates can accuse me of not using my head,” said Hertel. “We completed our season series with Indiana with two wins, now it is time to beat Kalamazoo and win that series to stay on top as the division leader.”
With the Bucks confident and possessing the ball at will, the Invaders had only one chance in the first half, and that came compliments of the referee. With the Invaders moving down the right sideline, what seemed like a harmless ball was whipped into the edge of the penalty area, where it may have played Bucks defender Mychal James (Trinidad/ Oakland) on the elbow. In a surprise to both benches, the ref called a penalty kick on James in the 38th minute. Saidi Isaac converted the spot kick past Bucks goal keeper Steve Clark (Mason, MI/ Oakland). 
Clark came into the game with three consecutive shutout wins and now has only given up three goals in five games played- with two of those PK’s. The Bucks continued to press the balance of the first half and into the second, but would not get the go ahead goal until coach Dan Fitzgerald inserted substitute forward Kenny Uzoigwe into the game. Uzoigwe came into the game in the 68th minute and created all kinds of problems for the Indiana defense, which was beginning to tire. It only took three minutes before Uzoigwe collected a ball between two defenders and slid a nice pass to attacking mid Piotr Nowak (Sterling Hts., MI/ Oakland) who walked in alone on Invaders keeper Mads Aastrup and slotted his shot into the lower right corner. The last twenty minutes heated up and the Bucks continued to attack the Indiana goal, but missed several quality chances to put the game away.
The Bucks head to Kalamazoo on Sunday for a rematch of opening night’s 1-1 tie with the Outrage and then return home on Saturday, June 13 to host the Cleveland Internationals at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. Tickets for Saturday’s match are $10 Adults, $6 Youth (under 16) and kids 5 and under are free. For more information, please visit the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com.
