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PONTIAC, MI — (league release) The Michigan Bucks claimed their second PDL Championship as a second-half goal by Tom Owens earned his side a 1-0 victory against the Kitsap Pumas in the 2014 PDL Championship Game presented by Nike at Ultimate Soccer Arenas on Sunday afternoon.

Owens’ goal arrived just before the hour mark as he picked up a short clearance by the Pumas defense on the left side 20 yards from goal. Owens drove freely into the penalty area and fired a low shot into the right corner of the net that capped a good spell of pressure and proved to be the game-winner.

“Usually I’m someone who would try to take a touch, or pass it,” Owens said. “I took a touch, and no-one closed me down, and I took another one and before I know it I’m 12 yards out, so I thought why not take a shot, and lucky enough for me it went in the bottom corner. Unbelievable feeling.”

Both teams had chances following Owens’ goal, as Michigan’s Gerald Ben went close to adding a second only for his shot to be turned aside by Kitsap goalkeeper Matt Grosey in the 64th minute. Michigan goalkeeper Adam Grinwis had to be sharp two minutes later as he saved a near-post deflection off his own defender as Jesus Sanchez applied pressure.

Kitsap pushed strongly for the equalizer in the final 20 minutes, and almost found it with 15 minutes to go as a Miguel Gonzalez’s close-range header was tipped over the crossbar by Grinwis. Named the championship game MVP, Grinwis made another crucial save from Septi Danciu two minutes later.

“It got a little crazy toward the end. They were throwing everything they had, and I think it took a slight deflection about six yards out,” Grinwis said of Gonzalez’s chance. “I think instinct just kicked in; I got a hand to it and got super-lucky to see it go over the bar.”

The Pumas’ best opportunity to find an equalizer arrived with three minutes to go as a good corner kick from the left found Rene Dezorzi open 10 yards from goal, only for his header to go wide of the right post. Justin Ortinau also hit the side-netting in the final minute for the Pumas, who were also looking to claim their second championship.

Kitsap’s efforts to find an equalizer resulted in stoppage-time chances for the Bucks to add to their lead. Gerald Ben was denied by a brilliant challenge by Brodie Steigerwald, and Brad Vanino saw his late effort saved by Grosey, but the squandered opportunities wouldn’t come back to haunt Michigan as they claimed the championship.

“It’s fantastic,” Grinwis said. “The last four or five years with the Bucks have been fantastic. I can’t thank Dan Duggan and the Bucks’ organization enough. Walking out of Ultimate Soccer Arenas is going to be bittersweet, but I’ve had a fantastic career here and I’ll treasure it forever.”

The game remained scoreless at halftime despite chances for both to break the deadlock. The Bucks had the first clear chance of the game in the fifth minute when Dzenan Catic shot over from 16 yards, and Kitsap answered almost immediately, only for Tommy Catalano’s shot to go high.

The Bucks’ best chance of the half arrived in the 17th minute as a free kick from the right was flicked onto an open Catic on the left side 10 yards out, but his volleyed finish found the side-netting. Michigan had a chance on the counter-attack a few minutes later, only for Catic to get caught offside as Zach Steinberger tried to spring him behind the Pumas back line, and the Pumas had to defend well when David Goldsmith almost got onto the end of a long ball over the top in the 28th minute.

Kitsap turned up the pressure late in the half, and Miguel Gonzalez had a pair of good opportunities a minute apart. In the 39th minute the forward turned and fired a low shot for the right corner that Adam Grinwis did well to parry to the corner. Then, as the Pumas continued to press, Gonzalez fired a shot from 25 yards out on the right side that was headed for the left corner, only for Bucks defender Mo Kaba to head to safety.

In the end, however, it was Owens’ goal that proved decisive. Having won the 2012 PDL Championship with FC London, the English native made sure his only goal of the PDL season arrived at just the right moment for the Bucks.

“I think it was a great game today, it could have gone either way,” Owens said. “It was going to be the little details that would decide the game, and I’m glad that we were able to see it out at the end. It’s a very hard-working group, and a great day for the Michigan Bucks.”

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