Bucks invade Indiana to claim eighth division title

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

SOUTH BEND — In control of their own destiny, the Michigan Bucks made sure that would return on top this time around.

After finishing fourth in the PDL Great Lakes Division a year ago, the Bucks turned the tables this season, closing the regular season with five straight wins, including a 3-0 triumph over the host Indiana Invaders Saturday evening.

The win pushed the Bucks’ record to 11-3-2 overall with 35, and gave them the division title due to having more wins than FC London, which also amassed 35 points.

The victory also vaulted Michigan to its eight division league title in 15 years and qualifies the Bucks for the 16-team PDL postseason. Michigan will compete in the four-team Central Conference regional this weekend in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

“We went down there and did what we had to do,” said Bucks head coach Gary Parsons. “Now, we just need to prepare for the (playoffs).”

Mitch Hildebrant (Livonia Stevenson/Oakland) has logged the whole regular season in net for Michigan, lowering his goals-against-average to under 1.00 goal a game with six shutouts and 11 wins.

Stew Givens (Troy High/Oakland alum) converted a penalty kick in the 13^th minute after teammate Kenny Uzoigwe was tripped up in the box.

Uzoigwe made it 2-0 in the 30^th minute. After retrieving a pass from Alex Morisset (Warren DeLaSalle/Michigan alum), Uzoigwe chipped a ball over Invaders netminder Jeff Jelinek.

Uzoigwe capped the scoring in the 62^nd minute, finishing off a cross from Mauro Fuzetti.

To submit information to www.northoaklandsports.com, e-mail dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com.  To advertise, e-mail advertising@northoaklandsports.com

Last updated: Aug 07 2010 at 6:22 PM