Bucks down West Michigan, 3-1

Story courtesy Michigan Bucks Public Relations

Grand Rapids, MI (May 22, 2008) - The Michigan Bucks took their 2008 season record to 2-0 after defeating the West Michigan Edge in Grand Rapids by a score of 3-1. The Bucks first half looked very similar to their first half of play on opening night against West Virginia, when they controlled play from the opening whistle but failed to score early. The high scoring offense of Michigan did produce six first half corner kicks, but could only muster one goal for their efforts. Local product Dave Hertel (Holland/Michigan State University) took control of the ball at midfield, fed attacker Mauro Fuzetti (Houston, Tx/University of Michigan) who carried the ball down the left sideline before crossing a perfect ball onto the foot of striker Kenny Uzoigwe. Kenny did what he does best, finishing the game's first goal in the 32nd minute to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead which would stand until halftime.

In the second half, the Bucks started with more of the same, but could not get another goal past Edge net minder Jeremy Clark. Bucks coach Dan Fitzgerald went to his bench for some instant offense in the form of Doug DeMartin (Mason/MSU), who was chosen to the PDL Team of the Week last week for his goal and assist in the Bucks opening night victory. Although DeMartin did not figure in the second goal, it did come just two minutes after he entered the game. Assist guru Nate Jafta (S. Africa/Lindsey Wilson College) made one of his patented runs through the midfield before finding running mate Uzoigwe, who slotted home his second of the game and third of the young season. With the score 2-0, the Bucks could pretty much control play through the midfield and coast to the victory. But the defense got sloppy and paid the price when defender Alex Morisset (Utica/University of Michigan) was called for a foul just outside the box in the 90th minute. The Edge were able to head home the ensuing free kick to half the lead to 2-1 heading to stoppage time. Following the kickoff from midfield, Jafta decided to put the game on ice by dribbling the length of the field and passing to a wide open DeMartin, who scored his second goal in as many games- both coming as a second half sub.

The Bucks are halfway home to qualifying for the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with the two wins to open the season. Cup qualifying finishes with their next two matches this Memorial Day weekend. The Bucks control their own fate and will advance to an unprecedented PDL ninth trip to the nation's oldest tournament in twelve years of eligibility. First up is the Ft. Wayne Fever on Saturday at 4:00 as the main event of the Canton Cup Soccer Tournament. All tickets to the Bucks/ Fever game were purchased by the Tournament directors so that admission to the general public is free. Over 900 fans witnessed the Bucks defeat Chicago as part of last year's tournament and organizers are expecting a larger turnout this year. On Monday the Bucks travel to Cleveland to play the Internationals as the last game of Open Cup qualifying for the two spots in the Central Conference. With the Bucks and Internationals both tied with 2-0 records, it could very well come down to the winner of Monday's match moving on to represent the Great Lakes Division.

Bucks Lineup: 25-Steve Clark, 3-Kyle Russell, 3-Mike Holody, 5-Fabien Lewis, 15-Dave Hertel, 17-Piotr Nowak, 13-Zac Scaffidi (14-Alex Morisset '67), 9-Mauro Fuzetti (18-Doug DeMartin '57), 8-Nate Jafta, 7-Ty Shipalane (16-Nik Djokic '39), 10-Kenny Uzoigwe Goal Summary MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe 2 (Mauro Fuzetti 1) - 32nd minute MICH -- Kenny Uzoigwe 3 (Nate Jafta 2) - 59th minute WMICH - GOAL MICH -- Doug DeMartin 2 (Nate Jafta 3) - 92nd minute