Michigan Bucks roll past Cleveland

Story courtesy Bucks Public Relations

Pontiac, MI (June 7, 2008) - The Michigan Bucks kept their 2008 winning streak alive with a 4-2 win Saturday night against the Cleveland Internationals at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. With the victory, the Bucks remain the only undefeated side in the 67-team United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) through the first eight games. With the first half of the PDL regular season in the books, the Bucks can now turn their attention to the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which begins this Tuesday with a home match against the Cleveland City Stars. The City Stars play up one level in the second tier professional division of the USL.

The Bucks struck early when midfielder Ty Shipalane (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson; pictured right) worked his magic on the right-hand side of the field, beating two defenders before crossing to Mauro Fuzetti (Houston/University of Michigan) who headed the ball past Internationals keeper Jason Whitehead in the 6th minute. Though playing some attractive Bucks soccer, the team was victimized with a penalty call against captain Mike Holody (Clarkston/University of Michigan) in the 24th minute. Internationals midfielder Mike Nanchoff stepped up and struck it well past Steve Clark (Mason/Oakland University). The Bucks struck back 15 minutes later when Fuzetti was chopped down at the top of the penalty area - the referee pointed to the spot again and Ty Shipalane buried his 2nd goal of the season in the 39th minute.

Both teams came out of the halftime interval fired up, but it was the Internationals who struck first in the second half. After a miscue in the back by the Bucks defense, Cleveland midfielder Justin Morrow was able to collect the ball and round Steve Clark to equalize in the 49th minute. It was the first goal Clark has surrendered during the run of play this season in eight full matches. With the Bucks lacking an offensive spark, Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald called for Nate Jafta (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson) off the bench in the 59th minute. A minute later it was his fellow countryman and college teammate Shipalane that put Jafta through on goal for a 3-2 lead. The goal was Jafta's second of the season to go with his seven assists. The Bucks controlled the rest of the game, but couldn't find the insurance goal until second half stoppage time. Defender Dave Hertel (Holland/Michigan State) made a run up the left side, finding substitute striker Nik Djokic (Livonia/Wayne State) in the box. Djokic beat two defenders and laid the ball off for Doug DeMartin (Mason/Michigan State) who beat the stranded Internationals keeper for his third tally of the season.

With the win, the Bucks have a maximum 24 points from their first 8 matches and won't play in the league for nearly two weeks when they host the second place Toronto Lynx on Thursday, June 19 at Ultimate Soccer. The Bucks focus will be on this Tuesday, June 10 when they welcome the City Stars of the USL Second Division to Ultimate Soccer for the First Round US Open Cup match (7:30 kickoff). Ticket prices are the same as regular season games: $14 VIP, $10 Adult Reserved, $5 Youth Reserved (15 and under), Children 5 and under are FREE.

For more information on the Bucks and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup check out at buckssoccer.com and usopencup.com.

Cleveland Internationals vs. Michigan Bucks
Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Pontiac, MI
June 7, 2008

Scoring Summary: 
MICH - Mauro Fuzetti 1 (Ty Shipalane 1) - 6th minute
CLE - Mike Nanchoff (penalty kick) - 24th minute
MICH - Ty Shipalane 2 (penalty kick) 39th minute
CLE - Justin Morrow (unassisted) 49th minute
MICH - Nate Jafta 2 (Ty Shipalane 2) - 60th minute
MICH - Doug DeMartin 4 (Nik Djokic 1) - 90+ minute

Lineups: 

Misconduct Summary: 
CLE - Matt Tutich (caution) - 20th minute
CLE - Josh Williams (caution) - 21st minute
CLE - Ben Zemanski (caution) - 58th minute
CLE - Dan Bartulovic (caution) - 83rd minute
MICH - Zac Scaffidi (caution) - 89th minute
CLE - Josh Williams (ejection) - 90th minute

Statistics: 
Shots: Cleveland 5, Michigan 13 
Saves: Cleveland 3, Michigan 2
Fouls: Cleveland 19, Michigan 14
Offsides: Cleveland 3, Michigan 1
Corners: Cleveland 2, Michigan 6

Referees: Clifton Ellis, Jason White, Gration Moldovan, Kent Timm