Kalamazoo, MI (June 7, 2009)- The Michigan Bucks started Sunday’s game in the offensive mode, took the opening kick off down the field, gained a corner kick in the first minute and put the first shot on goal off the crossbar. Unfortunately, that would be the extent of the Bucks offense until the damage was done. The Kalamazoo Outrage moved into first place in the Great Lakes Division with the 3-1 win at home on Sunday afternoon by scoring three first half goals, two by former Bucks player Luke Norman. The Outrage found all kinds of unmarked space in the Michigan defense and converted on their first three shots of the game, all decent finishes that left goal keeper Steve Clark with no chance on any of them. The Bucks regrouped at halftime and came out strong attacking the withdrawn Outrage defense and finally cracked their back line in the 65th minute. Dave Hertel scored his team leading third goal of the season when he converted a pass from TJ Gore to beat Kalamazoo keeper Jeremy Clark. At 3-1, the Bucks substituted all the offense they had and created several chances to bring the game back into reach but never were able to convert the second goal.

 Bucks head coach Dan Fitzgerald was disappointed with his squad’s effort in the first forty five minute stanza. “We looked like we took a mental vacation between the 15th- 30th minute. When we woke up we found ourselves in an insurmountable hole. Kalamazoo was well prepared and made us pay for our mistakes. Hopefully we will get a chance to see them again in July,” said Fitzgerald, referring to a potential playoff rematch. The Bucks (4-2-1, 13 points) will prepare for a home game with the Cleveland Internationals on Saturday, June 13 at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. This will be the first of two matches with the Internationals this year, who the Bucks will play again in Cleveland on July 8.

For more information, please visit the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com.