THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Chill advance to the 2010 Premier Development League (PDL) Central Conference Finals as they defeated Forest City London 1-0 on Friday night. In front of a home crowd at Chapples Park, Thunder Bay, the Chill squandered numerous chances on goal to extend their lead, but held on to book their place in the Conference Finals on Saturday night against the Michigan Bucks.
The Chill took the lead early, as 2010 PDL Scoring Champion and Goal Scoring Champion, Brandon Swartzendruber, scored in the 5th minute. After a scramble in front of the net, the ball popped loose to Andrew Marinez, who fed the ball to Swartzendruber, who popped the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead for the home side. London missed a chance to even the score just before half, as Chill defender Sicelo Buthelezi brought down a London player inside the Chill’s eighteen yard box for a penalty shot. Forward Carl Hayworth stepped up to take the penalty for London, but rang the ball off the post, conserving the lead for the Chill.
In a scoreless second half, the play became more physical, as several players received yellow cards. Sicelo Buthelezi, Rafa Heck, Anthony Colaizzi, were all cautioned for the Chill. London saw players Haris Cekic, Jonathan Morris, Carl Haworth, and Scott Bibby all cautioned. Chill Goalie Steve Paterson recorded the shutout, as the Chill out shot London 16-11.
The Chill will now look ahead to the Central Conference Finals taking place at Chapples Park, Thunder Bay at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, July 31st, 2010. The match-up sees the winners of the Heartland Division (Chill) and Great Lakes Division (Bucks) face off for conference supremacy. The Bucks secured their place in the finals by defeating the Rochester Thunder 3-0 Friday afternoon. Kenny Uzoigwe and Stefan St. Louis scored the goals for the Bucks.