Bucks rally again, beat Fire 2-1

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Bucks Put Out Fire With Second Half Rally

Bridgeview, IL (June 25, 2008)- The Michigan Bucks took a huge step forward in their goal of securing the top seed (and a first round playoff bye) in the Central Conference when they came from behind to defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1 on the road. For the third consecutive game the Bucks conceded a first half goal to go into the halftime break down 1-0. For the second consecutive game they made amends in the second stanza by scoring the equalizer and game winner, to take their league record to 10-1-0 (30 points) on the season with five regular season games left to play. The Bucks played three of the top teams in the Central Conference in the last week and came away with two very important victories.

Chicago got on the board first in the 32nd minute when the Fire had a free kick from the side of the eighteen yard box. Everything looked covered until the wall gave way to the Chicago free kick where striker Carlos Franca knocked his shot through the barrier and to the short side of Bucks goalkeeper Steve Clark for a 1-0 lead. The Bucks controlled play from end-to-end the majority of the first half, but could not get the equalizer before halftime. Playing Chicago is always a huge task, but playing from behind is usually a recipe for disaster.

"Chicago is not only one of the best teams in this league, but one of the best defensive systems in the PDL. They can defend with the best of them. The one thing we did NOT want to do was spot them a goal and be forced to try and crack their defensive shell," said Bucks coach Dan Fitzgerald.

As usual, the Bucks came out flying in the second half and pounded the ball at the Fire defense until the dam finally broke. It took until the 67th minute when Lindsey Wilson College teammates Ty Shipalane (pictured above) and Nate Jafta got together to electrify the crowd. Ship cruised down the right wing with his normal flair and pace before finding Jafta running through the middle of the park at the top of the eighteen. Jafta collected the ball with his right foot, beat his defender by going to his left and smacked a left footed shot that gave goalkeeper Patrick Sperry no chance. The next twenty minutes would be a chess match of defense and counter attacking with both teams not wanting to concede a game changing second goal. Things were even until late in the game when Chicago native Zac Scaffidi (Michigan State) stole the ball in Fire territory and found Shipalane hiding out on the left flank. In a beautiful display of attacking soccer, Ship beat his first man coming into the center of the park, conned the second defender into thinking he was going to shoot as he came across the penalty spot and calmly side stepped a third Fire intruder before lacing a shot past Sperry in the 87th minute that would prove to be the game winner. Steve Clark (Oakland University) upped his 2008 record to 10-0 in goal for the Bucks, while making two spectacular saves, including a breakaway on University of Michigan striker Peri Marosevic in the 80th minute.

The Bucks will enjoy a much deserved weekend off before they return home to host the Cincinnati Kings for a holiday weekend game on Saturday, July 5 at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 kickoff). Tickets for the match are $14 VIP, $10 Adult reserved and $5 Youth reserved (under 16). Children 5 and under are always free to Bucks home games.

For more on the Premier Development League's (PDL) franchise with the best record in North America, please visit the Bucks website at buckssoccer.com.

Match Report

Scoring Summary:
CHI - Carlos Franca (free kick) - 32nd minute
MICH - Nate Jafta 4 (Ty Shipalane 3) - 68th minute
MICH - Ty Shipalane 3 (Zac Scaffidi 2) - 86th minute

Statistics:
Shots: Chicago 15, Michigan 8
Saves: Chicago 3, Michigan 4
Fouls: Chicago 10, Michigan 11
Offsides: Chicago 2, Michigan 2
Corners: Chicago 2, Michigan 4

Full Lineups and Misconduct Summary to come

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