| MID MICHIGAN BUCKS TO OPEN SEASON Mid Michigan Bucks Press Release May 10, 2002
Contact: Amy McLachlan (989) 781-6888
MID MICHIGAN BUCKS TO OPEN SEASON
Two Road Open Cup Qualifiers on Tap before Home Opener on May 18th
The Mid Michigan Bucks minor league soccer team begins its seventh Premier
Development League (PDL) season on the road tomorrow, May 11th, with a U.S. Open Cup Qualifier against long-time division rival, the Indiana Invaders.
The game will take place in Argos (South Bend), Indiana at 7:30pm (CST).
The Invaders (1-0) finished in third place in the Great Lakes Division, one
spot above the Bucks, in 2001. Each of the four U.S. Open Cup Qualifiers is
considered to be a "must-win" contest, since only one of the 14 Central
Conference teams will qualify. "You almost certainly need to go 4-0 and,
participating in our division, that will be extremely difficult," said Bucks
General Manager, Jim Duggan.
In addition to PDL games, the Invaders have also been participating in the
U.S. Men's Amateur Qualifying for Open Cup, playing games since early April. "I am worried that Indiana has several games under their belt, including a quality win in league play (2-0 over Dayton last Saturday). Hopefully, we
can play well enough early to stay in the game and give our players a chance
to get to know each other. We are all itching to get started," said Duggan.
Most Mid Michigan players have reported to training, with three still taking
final exams. The Bucks expect to have a full squad next week. Returning
players this season include: Paul Snape "Doggy Dogg", Ryan Mack, Justin
Detter, Tino Scicluna, Ousmane Coulibaly, Phil Presser, Jason Perry, Adam
Heinemann, Eric Pogue, Joe Zawacki, Kevin Robinson and Will Kletzien. . In
addition to five Indiana University players, Mid Michigan has also imported
four Lindsey Wilson College players this season: Forward Boyzzz Khumalo
(NAIA "Player of the Year"), Benji Djeukeng (four-time All-American
defender), Shawn Lee (2001 Third Team All-American defender) and Stephan David (All-League midfielder).
The Bucks begin their home schedule next Saturday, May 18th, at Birmingham Seaholm High School against the Chicago Fire Reserves, 2001 defending Great Lakes Division Champions. Kick-off for this re-match of the 2000 National Championship is at 7:30pm. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for students at the gate. Discounted tickets may be purchased in advance from the Birmingham Blazers Soccer Club, the Michigan Gators Soccer Club, George's Soccer Stores in Lathrup Village and Troy, as well as at the Global Soccer Store in Lake Orion. | |
