Michigan Bucks

BUCKS TROUNCE FEVER; SET UP QUALIFYING SHOWDOWN ON MONDAY

Nate Jafta paced the Bucks with a goal and two assists

Canton, MI (May 24, 2008) – The Michigan Bucks of the United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League (PDL) continued their quest to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating the Fort Wayne Fever 5-0 Saturday during the Canton Cup at Independence Park. The Bucks control their own destiny and now only need one more win (Monday at Cleveland) to qualify for an unprecedented 8th US Open Cup.

The Bucks struck early in the 6th minute when defender Dave Hertel (Holland, MI/Michigan State) placed a long throw into the box which the Ft. Wayne goalkeeper Rudy Ramirez bobbled before going into the net. The side struck again in the 30th minute when Nate Jafta (South Africa/Lindsey Wilson) laid off a pass to Piotr Nowak (Sterling Heights/Oakland) at the top of the box. Nowak made no mistake placing it in the far-side netting and recording his first ever goal for the Bucks. Four minutes later, Jafta set up Bucks striker Besmir Bega (Harper Woods) in a similar position who slotted it past Ramirez, giving the Bucks a 3-0 lead going into halftime.

The Bucks took their foot off the gas a bit in the second half until Alex Morisset (Utica/Michigan) found Bucks’ Man of the Match Nate Jafta in the box. Jafta took his chance well and slotted it home for a 4-0 Bucks lead. The Michigan State connection of Doug DeMartin (Mason) and Spencer Thompson (Shelby Twp.) finished off the scoring when Thompson slotted a ball to his fellow Spartan through the Fever defense. DeMartin finished easily capping a 5-0 win and giving the Bucks a perfect 3-0 record.

The team is in action next on Memorial Day, Monday May 26th when they travel to play the Cleveland Internationals at 7:00 PM. A US Open Cup berth will be on the line as Cleveland is also undefeated so far in qualification. For more information on the Michigan Bucks quest to qualify for an 8th US Open Cup, visit our website at buckssoccer.com.

Ft. Wayne Fever vs. Michigan Bucks
Canton Cup Soccer Tournament
Independence Park
Canton, MI

May 24, 2008

Scoring Summary:
MICH – Dave Hertel (unassisted) ‘6
MICH – Piotr Nowak (Nate Jafta) ‘30
MICH – Besmir Bega (Nate Jafta) ‘34
MICH – Nate Jafta (Alex Morisset) ‘67
MICH – Doug DeMartin (Spencer Thompson) ‘81

Lineups:

Ft. Wayne – 00- Rudy Ramirez, 8-Rich Balchan, 2-Bonivenger Misiko, 16-Tyler McCarroll, 18-Josh Scott (3-Aaron Tulloch ’46), 19-Byram Muteshi, 6-Cameron Jordan, 5-Nick Wilson (13-Josh Meier ’74), 7-Jacob Capito, 17-Jamal Robinson, 10-Gary Boughton
Subs Not Used: None

Michigan – 25-Steve Clark, 15-Dave Hertel, 5-Fabien Lewis, 3-Mike Holody, 22-Ian Daniel, 17-Piotr Nowak (13-Zac Scaffidi ’61), 14-Alex Morisset, 7-Ty Shipalane (18-Doug DeMartin ’56), 8-Nate Jafta (20-Spencer Thompson), 11-Besmir Bega (9-Mauro Fuzetti ’67), 10-Kenny Uzoigwe (19-Luke Norman ’71)
Subs Not Used: 1-Bret Mollon, 4-Kyle Russell

Misconduct Summary:
None

Statistics:
Shots: Fort Wayne 5, Michigan 17
Saves: Fort Wayne 2, Michigan 1
Fouls: Fort Wayne 8, Michigan 7
Offsides: Fort Wayne 2, Michigan 2
Corners: Fort Wayne 4, Michigan 10

Referees: Chad Uhlinger, John Spisak, Carlos DiStefano, Aaron Gage