Michigan Bucks

Former Bucks Making News in MLS/US Olympic Qualifying

Bucks Spring Break Camp and College Cup on Tap at Ultimate Soccer

Pontiac, MI (March 22, 2008) -- The Michigan Bucks are bringing several of last year’s and this upcoming season’s star players to Ultimate Soccer Arenas this week to host the first Bucks Ultimate Camp for Kids Soccer from Monday-Friday and to play Saturday in the College Cup. The week long spring break camp for kids will be instructed by several of the Bucks players and staff, led by professional striker Kenny Uzoigwe, the team’s leading scorer the past two seasons and one of the leading offensive threats to play in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Premier Development League (PDL). All campers will receive tickets to the first ever Bucks College Cup to be played Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on the Bucks Stadium Field. Admission to the College Cup is $5 per person all ages (5 and under free) for both games, featuring Oakland University against Lewis University at 10:00 AM in the morning session and finishing with University of Michigan vs. Lindsey Wilson College at 12:00 PM. Three of the four teams featured at Saturday’s College Cup I have lengthy ties to the Michigan Bucks storied PDL program. Oakland University will feature the maximum five Bucks players this season, including returning starters Steve Clark (goal), Ian Daniel (defender) and Piotr Nowak (defensive midfielder). Michigan returns center back Mike Holody for his third season anchoring the Bucks solid back line, along with starters Alex Morisset (defensive midfielder) and Mauro Fuzetti (midfielder). Lindsey Wilson brings the most excitement to Ultimate Soccer, with the flair of some of the finest talent in the NAIA, led by third year starter Nate Jafta, who is a leading preseason favorite for PDL player of the year, as well as NAIA player of the year in college. Jafta has led the Bucks in assists the past two seasons (and the PDL in 2006) and has added a newly found scoring punch to his arsenal. The South African attacking midfielder was highly recruited to leave college for Major League Soccer and other professional opportunities, but has opted to finish his school and eligibility with the Bucks this summer. Lindsey Wilson has been a NAIA powerhouse in soccer for the past decade and has been the pipeline to the Bucks for some of the most electrifying players the PDL has ever seen. Meanwhile, as MLS prepares to open its thirteenth season next weekend as well, several of the former Bucks players have been making headlines around the league. Below are clips from some of last week’s MLS web sites:

Chicago Fire: CERVI RECORDS SHUT OUT IN U.S. OLYMPIC QUALIFYING WIN VS. HONDURAS

Chicago Fire 2008 SuperDraft selection Dominic Cervi started and played 90 minutes in the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team’s 1-0 win over the Honduran U-23 National Team Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Cervi earned his first "cap" in the 1-0 shutout win, helping the U.S. finish atop Group A in 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. The U.S. has since qualified for a berth in the Beijing Olympic games this August. Cervi played goal for the PDL Michigan Bucks in 2006.

New York Red Bulls: BRUNNER GOAL LEADS RED BULLS PAST CHARLESTON

A lone goal from defender Eric Brunner was enough for the Red Bulls reserves to defeat the College of Charleston, 1-0, in Charleston, SC Monday. In the 71st minute, Brunner was able to latch on to a knocked down corner kick and hit a deflected shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the preseason. The solid defender from Ohio State helped lead the Michigan Bucks of the PDL to the 2007 Championship game in 2007.

New England Revolution: DUBE SIGNS WITH REVS, STRIKES EARLY AGAINST MARATHON

Newly signed Zimbabwe international Kheli Dube put the Revs up early, striking in the eighth minute to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead. Revolution striker Taylor Twellman sent him in at the top of the area, before he eluded Marathon central defender Milton Palacio to net an 18-yard blast. Mkhokheli "Kheli" Dube, 24, whom the Revolution acquired with the eighth overall selection in the first round of the Supplemental Draft, was the Big South Player of the Year in 2007 while attending Coastal Carolina. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Zimbabwe native scored 11 goals as a senior, while adding five assists, as the Chanticleers finished atop the Big South standings with a perfect 6-0-0 record. Before his two-year stint at Coastal Carolina, Dube transferred from NAIA powerhouse Lindsey Wilson. He is also a former member of Zimbabwe’s Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 squads. Dube spent three seasons helping lead the Michigan Bucks of the PDL to back-to-back championship game appearances (winning the title in 2006). For further information about the upcoming Michigan Bucks season at Ultimate Soccer Arenas beginning this May, please visit our web site at www.bucksssoccer.com.