THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Chill needed extra time to defeat the Michigan Bucks, but two goals from striker Brandon Swartzendruber ensures the Chill will be taking part in the 2010 Premier Development League (PDL) Championship weekend.
In what was a very physical match, each team entered the half with several cautions but no goals. After trading several scoring chances in the second half, the Bucks Kenny Uzoigwe scored in the 79th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead. The goal brought the Chill to life, and it did not take the home side long to equalize. Zetroy Robertson headed a pass to Swartzendruber who turned and shot, tying the game in the 83rd minute. Regulation time ended, and the two teams would be going to extra time in front of a nervous Chapples Park crowd.
The first of the two fifteen minute halves of extra time ended without incident, and another scoreless half would send the game to penalty shots. However, Brandon Swartzendruber did not let it get that far, as he latched on a William Zardetto pass to score the winning goal in the 108th minute. The final whistle blew, and the crowd at Chapples Park celebrated their home side’s 2-1 victory, and the Thunder Bay Chill’s continued run into the playoffs.
The 2010 PDL Championship will take place August 6-7, 2010. The host site will be determined through a bid process once the four conference champions have been determined. The 2010 PDL Championship Game will be televised live on FOX Soccer Channel at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 7, 2010.