Green Bay Wins 2009 Horizon League Men's Soccer Championship

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Green Bay wins the 2009 Horizon LeagueMen’s Soccer Championship as the Phoenix out-shoot Butler, 3-2, in penalty kicks after 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods could not declare a League champion.  Green Bay will represent the conference in NCAA action as the League’s automatic qualifier.

In first semifinal game on Friday, Green Bay scored first off a header from All-League honoree David Znaty to put the Phoenix up 1-0 at intermission.  In the 73^rd minute of the second half, Green Bay junior Scotty Raymonds added a header of his own followed by junior teammate Dan Krueger securing his first career score just three minutes later.  Valparaiso senior Danny Jeftich added a tally for the Crusaders in the 78^th minute, bringing the final score to 3-1 in favor of Green Bay.

In the second semifinal contest, both defenses held strong in the first 45 minutes, producing a 0-0 score at the break.  Bulldog midfielder Ben Sippola provided the game’s first goal in the 49^th minute followed by a score from teammate Boris Gatzky in the 53^rd minute.  Cleveland State’s Marco Difranco netted the lone goal for the Vikings in the 76^th minute, brining the final tally to 2-1 in favor of Butler.

Below is a listing of the 2009 Horizon LeagueAll-Tournament Team:

Marco Difranco, Cleveland State
Slavisa Ubiparipovic, Cleveland State
Danny Jeftich, Valparaiso
Adrian Ortiz, Valparaiso
Boris Gatzky, Butler
Ben Sippola, Butler
Kyle VondenBenken, Butler
JC Banks, Green Bay
David Prochazka, Green Bay
Scotty Raymonds, Green Bay
Ryan Wehking, Green Bay (MVP)