Chill in final four

The Thunder Bay Chill are back in the Premier Development League’s final four for the third time in four seasons.

They have one of their longest-serving players to thank.

Defender Wilson Neto scored the winner in the 86th minute, his 25-yard boot earning the Chill a 2-1 win over the host Michigan Bucks on Saturday, as Thunder Bay captured their third Central Conference championship.

The Chill back-end helped in more ways than one.

“Our defence has really got us here,” Chill coach Tony Colistro told Northoaklandsports.com. “All season defence has been our strength. We’ve got the attack, but it’s really defense that has taken over. (The Bucks) have a great attack. We were able to fend them off and one of our defenders got the winning goal. We were able to knock a couple through their defence. They haven't given up many goals all season.”

Gustavo Oliveira opened the scoring in the eighth minute, firing a free kick from 30 yards that beat Michigan goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt.

Stew Givens tied the score in the 11th minute, beating Steven Paterson on a penalty.

The Chill will take on the host Kitsap Pumas in the second of two semifinals next Friday in Bremerton, Wash. The Laredo Heat, a team Thunder Bay beat in 2008 to capture its first PDL championship, will play the Long Island Rough Riders in the other semifinal.

The winners will advance to Saturday's championship game.