MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
FLINT, Mich. – Talk about bouncing back.
After going 0-1-1 in their last two games, the Flint City Bucks rebounded Saturday night at Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, rolling past visiting Michiana FC Lions 10-0 in the USL-League Great Lakes Division regular season finale for both teams.
Needing a tie or win to clinch the Great Lakes Division – the Bucks trailed Midwest United 31-30 heading into the game with Midwest already completing its league schedule – Flint City scored early and often to leave no doubt in taking home the division title with 33 points and a two-point advantage on Midwest United FC in the final standings.
The Bucks (11,1-3, 10-1-3 Great Lakes Division) also clinched one of the top seeds in North American Tournament, where Flint City will host the Central Conference July 19-21. Flint City held a No. 2 Power Ranking in the USL-League Two polls entering the final week.
“Obviously, we wanted to come out and put pressure on them and set a really high tempo and see if we could press them early,” said second-year Bucks head coach Paul Doroh. “We wanted to jump out early and ride that momentum for the whole game and we did it. They got a lot of pressing moments right tonight and I was pleased with that.”
After dropping a 3-1 decision to Union FC Macomb three days earlier – the Bucks’ first loss since a 1-0 setback last July to Ballard FC in the USL League Two North American semifinals – Flint City kept consistent pressure on Michiana for most of the 90-plus minutes.
“we came out and scored immediately with that early goal to take some pressure off of us,” said Doroh. “We were able to do that with the first-minute goal. We kept pressing and got another late in the first half. Once we scored the third goal we really felt comfortable but we never let up until the end of the game.”
Dyson Clapier (University of Akron) scored on a six-yard shot inside the box following a cross from Landon Fischer (Western Michigan University) just 59 seconds into the contest to set the tone and register the early lead on the scoreboard.
The Bucks allowed Michiana to maintain some possession in its own end for stretches of the first half but applied plenty of pressure on the Lions’ back line and goalkeeper Alexis Alvarado (Bethel University). Alvarado kept it close with seven first-half saves before the Bucks’ constant pressure resulted in a second goal one minute into stoppage time.
Brock Pickett ((Wright State University) forced a turnover deep in Michiana territory before slotting a pass that deflected off Alvarado and over to a wide-open Josemir Gomez (Butler University), who left no doubt with a two-yard sitter in front of the net for the 2-0 lead moments before the halftime whistle.
Michiana (0-12-2, 0-12-2) was outscored 45-6 entering the game. Even though they kept it reasonably close during the first half, the Lions were outmatched. Michiana only dressed 13 players and the two high school-aged available players on the bench never got into the game, as Michiana went Iron-man against the deep and powerful Bucks.
In the second-half, the floodgates more than opened, as Flint City overwhelmed the Michiana zone for the remaining 45-plus minutes where the Bucks poured it on with 22 shots and eight more goals and simply wearing down the Lions.
Scott McLeod (Virginia Commonwealth University) got into the scoring act in 52nd minute finishing off a service from Jonas Buechte (University of Akron) and Pickett scored his second goal off a pass from the right corner from Malik Henry (University of Akron) for a 4-0 advantage in the 57th minute.
Flint City remained in attack mode over the last 33 minutes with six more goals, as 10 different players registered goals or assists.
Following Pickett’s two goals and an assist, both Pierre Lurot (University of Michigan) and Kai Phillip (University of Louisville) also recorded the brace. Gomez and Clapier each had a goal and an assist, Daire O’Riordan (Davenport University) had a single goal, Buechte drew three assists, and Fisher Mimy, Henry and Collin Innes (Boston University) all had single assists for the Bucks.
Overall, the Flint City defense conceded just one shot the whole night and that was above the goal from 35 yards out midway through the first half. Jakub Grzesiak (Oral Roberts University) and Carson Shane (Allen Park. Michigan Jaguars MLS Next Academy) combined for the clean sheet without having to make a single save all night.
Flint City outshot Michiana 22-0 in the second half and 38-1 for the game. The Bucks also held a 21-0 advantage with shots on goal and 4-0 edge on cornerkicks in the night.
The Bucks have reached the postseason a USL-League Two record 26 times over their 29-year history – there was no USL League Two season in 2020 due to restrictions – but they have posted around a 90-percen range seasons where they have qualified for the playoffs. Flint City, originally Mid-Michigan Bucks or Michigan Bucks, did not qualify for the postseason in 2009 and 2018.
“That’s always the expectation to reach the (postseason) and see how far we can advance,” noted Doroh, who has seen four predecessors lead the Bucks to North American title (2006, 2014, 2017 and 2019) and reach the semifinals 10 times, including the last two years.
The Bucks will host Valley Division runner-up Cleveland Force (5-2-5) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the second game as part of the Central Conference semifinals. Valley Division champion Fort Wayne Fusion (8-2-2) will face Great Lakes Division runner-up Midwest United FC (10-3-1) at 4 p.m. in the first semifinals match. The Central Conference championship is slated for 5 p.m. Sunday, also at Atwood Stadium.
“We don’t know much about them,” admitted Doroh. “So, we’ll do some research on them. They play in the same (division) with the Toledo Villa and we (scrimmaged) them early on in the season. We’ll see if they are similar to Toledo or what style they play here this week and prepare for them.”
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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