 | Mid Michigan Bucks Press Release May 26, 2002
Contact: Amy McLachlan (989) 781-6888 info@mmbucks.com
4-1 VICTORY OVER DAYTON NOT ENOUGH
Mid Michigan Bucks lose Open Cup qualifying tiebreaker to Des Moines
Despite a convincing 4-1 win over the Dayton Gems at Plymouth-Canton High School on Saturday night and a 3-0-1 qualifying record, the Mid Michigan Bucks will miss the U. S. Open Cup for the first time in four years. The Des Moines Menace also finished with a 3-0-1 record, but will advance as the representative of 14-team Central Conference by virtue of the Premier Development League's fourth tie-breaker, goal differential (+10 to the Bucks' +5). The minor league soccer Bucks are currently 3-1-1 in Great Lakes Division play.
For the fourth time in five games this season, the Bucks played a match under threatening conditions, including the first match of the season (which was called with 20 minutes remaining in regulation, with the score tied 1-1, against the Indiana Invaders).. As the qualifying process played out, the winner of the first game would have advanced into the Open Cup. "We begged the referees to let us finish that game because we knew the ramifications of both teams only getting one point (instead of one team getting four for a victory), but we should have put the game away sooner and taken it out of the ref's hands," said Bucks co-owner, Dan Duggan. "We will be rooting for Des Moines to make a big run in the Cup and to get an MLS team."
After a 45- minute lightning delay, Saturday's game featured some outstanding play by Shawn Lee in his Bucks debut. The 6'3", 215 lb. defender from Trinidad and Tobago was a force on defense and created problems for the Gems (0-4) when he went forward, scoring the Bucks second goal five minutes into the second half. The tally gave the Bucks a 2-1 lead, which was quickly added to by the Indiana University connection, Pat Noonan and John Swann. "Swanny was awesome again. He has been impressive every game this year," said Bucks co-owner and general manager, Jim Duggan. Each team scored once in the first half, with Noonan scoring his first goal on a nice play by Boyzzz Khumalo. Eric Pogue gained the win in net with five saves.
Shots: 27 - 10 Bucks
Goals: GEMS - 12th minute, Boswell; BUCKS- 44th minute Noonan (Khumalo); BUCKS - 50th minute, Lee; BUCKS - 59th minute, Noonan (Detter); BUCKS - 62nd minute, Swann (Mack).
Bucks' Line-up: Pogue, Kalso, Lee, Swann, Taylor (Kletzien 75th minute), Presser (Djeukeng 65), Mack, Detter (Veris 65), Khumalo (Chorvat 85), Snape, Noonan.
Dayton Line-up: M. Gibson, Goggins, Larmond, Senn (Byers 62), Griest, Whitaker, McKloskey (Porto 53), Sobers, Garrambone (Nsein 53), Raftery (B. Gibson 10), Boswell.
BUCKS PLAY FINAL BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM GAME THIS SUNDAY
Bucks' discounted tickets for the Indiana game (7pm) at Seaholm on June 2nd may be purchased from the Bloomfield Force/Flames and Michigan Hawks/Wolves soccer clubs or at George's Soccer Stores in Lathrup Village and Troy, plus Global Soccer in Lake Orion.. Tickets will be $9 for adults and $6 for students at the gate. | |
