July 10, 2011
PONTIAC-The Michigan Bucks got a much-needed win over the visiting Cincinnati Kings Saturday on a night in which the team inducted two former and a current great into its Hall of Fame.
Tim Richey (1996-97), Kheli Dube (2005-07) and current assistant coach Dan Fitzgerald (2002-present) were all inducted in a ceremony at halftime, the team’s third Hall of Fame class. Meanwhile, on the field the Bucks shut down the Kings and scored two goals of their own to get the victory.
“I thought we played well tonight. The game was in order for the most part; we kept their chances limited,” head coach Gary Parsons said. “We could’ve had another goal or two, it would’ve made it easier, but I’ll take 2-0 every night.”
Michigan retained its first place standing in the United Soccer Leagues’ (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) Great Lakes division and now have 29 points (9-2-2). Second-placed Chicago Fire Premier sit just four points back, with two games in hand which sets up a crucial match on July 20th in Chicago. The Bucks defeated Chicago 2-0 in the first game of the series.
Against the Kings the Bucks attacked early. In the first three minutes the team took three shots; all saved by keeper Joey Barnard, including a Luke Holmes free kick that just nearly missed his reach.
However, the Bucks would strike in the 10th minute. Defender Stew Givens threw the ball into the box where midfielder Tommy Catalano headed it past a defenseless Barnard. Catalano, who stands at just at just 5’9” and 150 lbs, was surprised that he was able to get through the box unguarded.
“Being a little guy, it’s tough to get over those big guys,” Catalano said. “That was the first time [Parsons] actually put me in on the long throw, and it came out good.”
The goal was Catalano’s seventh of 2011 while Givens recorded his fourth assist on the season.
Michigan could not build upon its 1-0 lead before halftime despite out-shooting Cincinnati 11-3 in the first half.
“We knew we were dominating them, having more possession and everything, but we knew they were going to come out with high energy and come out swinging…so we obviously had to match that or even go above that,” Catalano said.
Midfielder Luke Holmes blocked an equalizing shot in the 56th minute on a rocket from the Kings’ Brent Hobson. The shot was headed for a wide open net but Holmes knocked it away at the line. Four minutes later he gave the Bucks their second goal of the night.
Catalano, after recovering a ball inside Cincinnati’s box, fed it to Holmes at the top of the box. Holmes settled it, waited for the right moment, and scored on a shot to the near post.
“This was Luke’s best game with us. To be fair to him, we’ve had him out on the flank more than the middle, and he’s really suited for the middle. He had a really nice game tonight,” Parsons said.
The Kings were limited to just two more shots in the second half as the Bucks held on for the win. Bucks keeper Mitch Hildebrandt continued his scoreless streak at home, recording his sixth shutout in six games. Hildebrandt has a league leading nine clean sheets to go with his nine victories in goal.
The Bucks will play another game at home against FC London on July 16th before taking on Chicago. Tickets for the London game are $10 Adults (16 and over) and $7 Youth (5 and under free) at the door but all tickets are on sale for only $5 when buying in advance. Discounted tickets can be purchased at Ultimate Soccer Arenas or online by visiting the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com and clicking on the TICKETS link.
