London, ON (July 1, 2010)- The Michigan Bucks made their second trip in two years to London, Ontario to take on FC London and came away with their second scoreless draw. Last season the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs in a game they dominated but could not finish. This time it was the home side that dominated the game but could not get a shot past Bucks goal keeper Mitch Hildebrandt (Livonia, MI/ Oakland), who faced eighteen shots and made eleven saves on the night. The Bucks dressed only thirteen players on the night, as they have been decimated with injuries over the past two weeks. This was the second tie of the season between the two teams that are battling to try and take over first place in the Great Lakes Division. The Bucks (6-2-2, 20 points) sit right behind FC London (6-1-3, 21 points) for the last playoff spot, with six games left in the season.
Bucks head coach Gary Parsons wasn’t happy with the performance of the team, but will take the point and move on. “I was disappointed with our effort from the guys we had healthy. We were missing our top three scorers (PDL player of the week Kenny Uzoigwe, Mauro Fuzetti and Stefan St. Louis) but that happens at this time of the year. The guys have to suck it up and be ready to play each and every night. This London team is the hardest working team in the division and made it difficult for us all night. Mitch came up big in goal and the addition of veteran Ian Daniel on our back line really helped to earn the tie,” said Parsons. “We need to come out stronger and play with more intensity this weekend.”
The Bucks turn their attention to the Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday night in the second game of a three game road swing. Dayton is battling for a playoff spot in the Great Lakes Division as well and need a positive result against the Bucks to keep control of their own destiny. Parsons hopes to have a couple of his injured players back for Saturday, but individual status will not be known until game time. The Bucks next home game will be Saturday, July 10 at Ultimate Soccer Arenas when they play the biggest match of the season against the first place Chicago Fire Premier. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM and tickets are on sales at Ultimate Soccer or through the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com. 
