BUCKS HOLD OFF KINGS, 2-1; MLS CREW COMING BACK TO MOTOWN

Rochester, MI (June 28, 2006) - The Michigan Vardar Bucks defeated their record setting 7th professional team in their 10 year history of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament tonight when they defeated the Cincinnati Kings (USL Division 2 Pro) 2-1 at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester. The Second Round victory sets up a match on July 12 at Stoney Creek between the minor league Bucks and their Major League Soccer affiliate Columbus Crew. With both teams knowing the winner earned a date with the top level US club, the Bucks jumped on the Kings early and scored in the first minute of the game. Ty Shipalane started a quick counter attack from the left flank, laid off a nice pass to his Lindsey Wilson College teammate, Nate Jafta. Jafta returned the ball to Ship, who walked in and scored high into the back of the net to get the Bucks on the board early. The game battled back and forth until the 36th minute, when Cincinnati midfielder Mike McGinlay took a shot, which deflected off a Bucks defender, past goalkeeper Steve Clark. Both teams were satisfied going into halftime with the score tied 1-1.

The Bucks continued their second half heroics this season by coming out strong to start the last stanza. Once again, it was Bucks leader Nate Jafta, who scored on an incredible individual effort in the 48th minute to put the home team ahead for good. Nate finished a quick one touch pass from Chris Edwards to grab the early second half lead. The balance of the second half was back and forth, with the Bucks strong defense in the air holding off the talented Kings attacking midfield and strikers. Clark, playing in only his second game in goal for the Bucks, earned his first win in the biggest game of his collegiate career. First year head coach Dan Fitzgerald was humble, when asked about his tactics in defeating back to back professional teams, in route to the Third Round match with the Crew. We set the tone for the season in week one with this team. Playing the Columbus Crew in an exhibition was fun. Playing them for real in the Open Cup will give us a good feel as to the progress we are making as a team. Our training last week in Northern Michigan, and specifically in the Cold Creek region gave us the confidence that we could accomplish this weeks goals. I am happy for the boys and am proud of their effort. The last 15 minutes of tonights game seemed to go on forever.

The Bucks continue league play on Friday night when they travel to Ft. Wayne to take on the Fever. The Bucks then travel to Grand Rapids on July 3 to play the West Michigan Edge, before returning home on Saturday, June 8 to take on arch rival and division leader, Chicago Fire Premier at Stoney Creek at 6:30. Ticket information on the Bucks/ Crew match will be available early next week.