July 20, 2008 PDL Toronto Lynx vs Michigan Bucks (from Lynx media release)
TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESENTED BY CAW - THE CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS UNION
Bucks Bring Down Lynx in the Rain
Toronto falls 3-0 to close 2008 regular season
Date: Sunday July 20, 2008
Venue: Varsity Centre
Kick Off Time: 4:05 PM EDT
Final Score: Michigan 3 (2) Toronto 0 (0)
Match Summary:
The Toronto Lynx fell 3-0 to the Michigan Bucks this afternoon in a constant downpour at Varsity Centre in downtown Toronto to wrap up their 2008 Premier Development League regular season. The win clinches the Central Conference Regular Season Championship for the Bucks, and they will host the conference tournament next weekend in Pontiac. Toronto advances to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and are tentatively scheduled to travel to Cleveland midweek to battle the Internationals for the right to move on to the conference finals at Michigan. The Lynx close the season with their first winning season since 2000 at 8-6-2 (26 points), and only their second in team history.
The teams opened tentatively in the rain, but the pace quickly picked up as both teams drove forward towards each other’s net. Toronto controlled the ball through much of the opening half, and created a number of chances, but could not find paydirt. The Bucks also managed a number of great scoring opportunities, but Nils Binstock came up with a number of athletic stops in the Lynx goal and the score remained even early.
Michigan opened the scoring in the 29th minute on a fluky goal. Doug DeMartin launched a blast towards the Lynx goal from atop the penalty area, and it struck Lynx defender Rick Titus and deflected up and over a stunned Binstock into the net for a 1-0 Bucks lead. Michigan doubled their lead four minutes later with a sublime goal off the right foot of Billy Weaver. Kenny Uzoigwe took a free kick near half, and spotted Weaver free along the touch line about 25 yards in front of the Lynx goal. The forward took the pass and launched a sonic boom of a shot that curled and dipped into the top corner of the Lynx goal past a leaping Binstock for a two-goal cushion for the visitors.
Uzoigwe put the game away for the Bucks himself early in the second half, when he beat Binstock one-on-one in front of the Lynx goal and tucked the ball inside for a 3-nil lead in the 51st minute. The rain intensified shortly after, and neither team was able to muster a serious threat on the slippery pitch throughout the remainder of the match.
The annual Toronto Lynx Player Awards were handed our prior to the match on the field, honouring the best and brightest performances for the Lynx in 2008. Defender Lloyd Grist copped the Rookie of the Year, rewarding his stellar season, which saw him play every minute of every game, while midfielder Derek Rios was selected as Fan Favourite by Toronto Lynx fans. Team captain Erik DiLorenzo, who sat out today’s match due to a red card earned in last Wednesday’s 4-0 rout of the Cincinnati Kings, was named Best Defensive Player, the first Lynx to earn the honour in back-to-back seasons. Forward Jean Tshimpaka picked up the hardware for Best Offensive Player, while leading scorer Daniel Revivo was selected by Toronto media as the 2008 Most Valuable Player.
The Lynx will now head to Cleveland to take on the Internationals in a Great Lakes divisional playoff match, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evening with time and venue to be announced. Details will be posted on www.lynxsoccer.com as soon as they become finalized by the PDL.
Final Score: Michigan 3 (2) Toronto 0 (0) Lineups: Toronto: Binstock, Grist, Titus, Alksnis, Gomes (DeLuca 45), McNamara, DeAbreu, Scott, Omokhua, Revivo, El-Masri Michigan: Clark, Daniel, Iyoha, Russell, Hertel, Morisset, Stacy, DeMartin, Mollon, Weaver, Uzoigwe Officials: Referee: Ricky Zomparelli Asst. Referee: Andrew Kravets Asst. Referee: Peter Pendli 4th Official: Brian Butler Cautions: Toronto: 1 (69’ Alksnis) Michigan: 0 Ejections: Toronto: 0 Michigan: 0 Shots: Toronto: 13 Michigan: 9 Saves: Toronto: 3 Michigan: 6 Fouls: Toronto: 8 Michigan: 6 Offsides: Toronto: 5 Michigan: 3 Corners: Toronto: 1 Michigan: 3 Scorers: Toronto: None Michigan: 29’ DeMartin 33’ Weaver (Uzoigwe) 51’ Uzoigwe
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 23
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