PONTIAC, MI (November 22, 2007)- The Michigan Bucks college soccer players continued to dominate conferences all over America this fall as the NCAA and NAIA regular seasons came to a close. The majority of the Bucks team that made it to the North American PDL finals for the second consecutive year has qualified for post season play, including a rematch of Oakland University/ Michigan State on Saturday (12:00 at MSU) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Bucks striker and third leading scorer Khelli Dube (Coastal Carolina) was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year, while midfielder Xavier Balc (Ohio State) was named Big Ten Player of the Year and defender Joe Donoho (Bradley) claimed the same award in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Oakland University claimed the top spot in the Summit League Conference and earned a rematch against the Spartans, who beat them 2-1 earlier this year. The Grizzlies are led by Bucks star goal keeper Steve Clark, who only allowed 2 goals in Summit Conference play this season, including last weekend’s tournament. In front of Clark are stellar defenders Ian Daniel and Piotr Nowak, who were both selected to the Summit League All Tournament Team. The Spartans are led by striker Doug DeMartin, who was the leading goal scorer in the Big Ten and was a unanimous First Team All Conference selection. All four underclassmen will be back with the Bucks in May to make an unprecedented run at a third consecutive North American final appearance.

Ohio State, as the 5th seed received a first round bye and will host the winner of the Louisville/Duke game next Wednesday in Columbus. The Buckeyes are led by Balc and All Big Ten defender Eric Brunner. Forward George Josten was selected an academic All American for the third consecutive year as he led Gonzaga on and off the field. Josten’s 3.83 GPA in civil engineering has been useful in strategically leading the Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament against SMU. At Bradley University, Donoho not only led his team on defense, but as a sweeper he was also the second leading scorer with 6 goals and 14 points. The Braves open the NCAA tournament against DePaul, with the winner moving on to play perennial powerhouse Indiana.

Lindsey Wilson finished its season with a quarterfinal loss in the NAIA tournament to Auburn-Montgomery, 2-1. Junior Nate Jafta finished as the Blue Raiders leading scorer and was a First Team NAIA All American. Teammate Ty Shipalane completed his senior season with Second Team All American honors. Although Coastal Carolina did not make the NCAA tournament, Dube led the team in scoring and was voted Big South Player of the Week an unprecedented four times. Teammate Kyle Russell was voted All Big South First Team as a solid defender for his consistent play in the back. The University of Michigan started strong this fall but was disappointed by not being voted an at large berth in the NCAA tourney. Defender Mike Holody completed his junior year as a Second Team Big Ten selection.

The 2006 North American PDL Champion Bucks will begin their thirteenth season in May. For further information, please visit the Bucks web site at buckssoccer.com.