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PDL SOCCER: Michigan Bucks continue fast start with shutout of Toronto

Dan Stickradt | June 21, 2012 | Comments (1)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

PONTIAC — After playing 12 games in a month, the one thing for certain pertaining to the Michigan Bucks is that this team again is a title contender.

The Bucks moved to 10-1-1 on the year and posted their fifth shutout in its last eight games with a 1-0 victory Tuesday over the Toronto Lynx in a United Soccer Leagues-Premier Developmental League Great Lakes Division contest at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas.

Led by goalkeeper Adam Grinwis, Michigan (9-1-1, 6-0-1) has five shutouts in 12 games with 10 wins — including a 3-2 overtime win over the MLS’ Chicago Fire in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup on June 5 — and has not given up a goal since June 5, a 2-1 loss to Dayton in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

“Our plan was simple,” offered third-year Bucks coach Gary Parsons. “Stick to our game plan and play Bucks soccer for 90 minutes. They needed to take some chances in the second half to get a result. Our plan was to be patient and counter attack when the opportunity arose. “

Michigan midfielder Scott Caldwell headed home a Steve Miller cross in the game’s ninth minute with what would prove to be the game winner for the Bucks, who lead the Great Lakes Division with 22 points.

River City and Forest City-London are tied in second of the eight-team division with 14 points.

Michigan, which has outscored the opposition 32-9 this season, attacked the Lynx the whole night, with Stefan St. Louis and Miller constantly threatening along the sides. But the Bucks could only net the one first-half goal.

Grinwis, named Man of the Match, came up with a clutch save in the 62^nd minute to keep the Lynx at bay. Grinwis stopped Tom Owens’ penalty kick to keep the Lynx at bay.

In the second half, Michigan continued its attack. Anthony Grant rang a shot off the cross bar and tom Catalano also had a shot cleared off the goal line moments later.

“We knew they were going to be a hard working determined team that was desperate for three points,” said Parsons, who had his team play conservatively down the stretch. “We played a decent game, but didn’t put it away like we had hoped to.

“It was a bit nerve wracking at the end, but we are getting used to that around here,” continued Parsons. “We have played and shut out four very good teams in consecutive games within the past eight days. I don’t have a whole lot to complain about.”

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Tags: Michigan Bucks, PDL Soccer