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Michigan overcomes two-goal deficit to rally and eliminate Chill from playoffs

PONTIAC, Mich - The Thunder Bay Chill started the season with difficulty hanging onto leads. That inability to close out games ultimately resulted in an early end to their campaign.
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Thunder Bay Chill midfielder prepares to advance the ball while being observed by Michigan Bucks opponent Calvin Rezende during their Premier Development League Central Conference semifinal playoff match at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. on Friday. (James Mirabelli)

PONTIAC, Mich - The Thunder Bay Chill started the season with difficulty hanging onto leads.

That inability to close out games ultimately resulted in an early end to their campaign.

The Chill squandered an early two-goal advantage to fall 3-2 in extra time to the Michigan Bucks in their central conference semifinal match at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas on Friday night, ending the team's playoff run in heartbreaking fashion.

Alexander Adelabu headed home the deciding tally in the 23rd minute of the extra session to complete the comeback and advance the regular-season champion Bucks to face Kitchener-Waterloo United on Saturday for the right to advance to the final four of the Premier Development League.

The disappointing finish came after a near perfect start for a Thunder Bay squad (9-2-3) that finished with the second-best record in the Heartland Division and came in on the road as the underdogs against a Bucks (11-1-2) side that had been nearly unbeatable all season.

After holding their lines against early pressure, the Chill drew first blood in the 27th minute as striker Sullivan Silva was sent in on a run through the defence by midfielder Sergio Campano Franco, making no mistake on the visitor's first shot on target of the match.

Thunder Bay doubled the lead before the halftime break when fellow striker Brandon Swartzendruber capitalized on a defensive miscue by Michigan and finished with a goal.

But Michigan, which had twice overcome two-goal first half deficits to win earlier this season, showed their mettle.

The Bucks went on the attack early and often in the second half and finally solved Chill keeper Daniel Alvarado with a little more than 10 minutes to play, striking in close succession.

First it was Francis De Vries firing home a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 79th minute to trim the margin in half, setting up a dramatic sequence of events.

The Chill were called for a handball in the penalty area, setting up an 85th minute penalty kick which Tom Owens converted for the equalizer, extending the match.

Both teams had their opportunities in the 30-minutes of extra time but Adelabu's conversion made the difference.





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