PDL Great Lakes Division Preview
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Michigan Bucks and Chicago Fire PDL led the way in the Great Lakes Division a year ago, with FC London coming in a close third. But the addition of a second Chicago-based team, and the development of other returning clubs could help make the division a more competitive one than it was a season ago.
CHICAGO FIRE PDL – The Fire have another deep roster as the club attempts to reach the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons. Indiana’s Harrison Petts leads a group of returning players to the side after making 11 appearances a season ago, while Notre Dame’s Harrison Shipp arrives after scoring five goals and adding two assists for the Fighting Irish in his sophomore season this past fall.
CHICAGO INFERNO – The new addition to the division, the Inferno have brought in a mixture of youth and experience for their inaugural season. Peter McKeown arrives from Loyola University Chicago after a senior season in which the 6-foot-6 goalkeeper had a 1.20 goals against-average, while Northern Illinois’ Jason LeSeth had two goals and five assists in his freshman season last fall.
CINCINNATI KINGS – The Kings had a tough season in 2011 as they couldn’t turn draws, of which they had seven, into wins. The club is boosted by the return of the University of Cincinnati’s Branden Stelmak, who had six goals and two assists last summer, while defender James Queree arrives after starting all 21 games for Xavier University this past fall, helping the Musketeers win the Atlantic 10 title.
FOREST CITY LONDON – FC London will be hoping to bridge the gap between itself and the Bucks and Fire this season, and will be helped by the return of Tom Owens. The big question, though, will be whether London can replace the scoring provided a season ago by Canadian U-23 international Carl Haworth, who led the team with 22 points.
HAMILTON FC RAGE – The Rage had an up-and-down 2011, but should be able to build consistency with a number of players returning to the squad. Scott McCoubrey, who last season led the team with 19 points, is back to lead the attack, as is defender Tevin Wynter, who appeared in all 16 games a season ago while finishing third in minutes played among the Rage’s outfield players.
MICHIGAN BUCKS – The Bucks will try to defend their division title, and bring back a number of experienced hands to help them accomplish that. Kenny Uzoigwe, who had seven goals and four assists a season ago while becoming the PDL’s all-time leading scorer, is back, as is Stewart Givens, who a season ago was the PDL’s Defender of the Year. Former Portland Timbers U-23 player Bim Ogunyemi joins the squad as well, and should provide a strong midfield presence.
RIVER CITY ROVERS – After learning a lot in their first season, the Rovers could make a significant move up the standings in their second. Peter May returns to the side after making 13 appearances for Evansville as a freshman this past fall, as does Lindsey Wilson’s Hezekiah Weiss, who made 15 appearances for the Rovers last summer before helping the Blue Raiders to an NAIA National Championship.
TORONTO LYNX – The Lynx have been progressing slowly back towards the top half of the division in the past few years, but that could be accelerated this season as a new crop of players move up from a strong Super-20 side that reached the national final a season ago. At the forefront is goalkeeper Matt Silva of LeMoyne, who was outstanding last summer being named to the Super-20 Finals All-Tournament Team, as was defender Cameron Eisses. With experienced defender Konnor McNamara also returning, things are looking brighter for Duncan Wilde’s side.