Match Report | Buffalo Stallions vs Cleveland SC
- Cleveland SC
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Cleveland SC grinds out 2-1 win over Buffalo Stallions to get back in the win column
NORTH TONAWANDA, New York — Cleveland SC returned to action on Saturday night against a familiar opponent in the Buffalo Stallions, earning a 2-1 victory after a fast-paced first half and a grind of a second half.
Cleveland faced off against Buffalo last Saturday in the first match of the season for both teams. That game last week saw Cleveland outplay the Stallions from the opening kick, getting a 3-0 victory to kick off the season.
In between the first game of the year against Buffalo and Saturday’s match against Buffalo, Cleveland traveled north to play Rochester NY FC, a less exciting game that ended with a final score of 0-0.
The draw still resulted in a point for Cleveland, but the club wanted more when they remained in New York to face off against Buffalo for the second time already this season, and more is exactly what they got.
The game opened slowly, with both teams making some solid runs, but they were sniffed out in the end. For Cleveland, the lightning pace that they started the first game against Buffalo with wasn’t there right away this time, as it was Buffalo who got on the board first.
In the 29th minute, Buffalo’s midfield broke through the Cleveland defense and carried the ball into the final third before delivering a pass to winger Tyler Warmington on the right wing, who cut inside and delivered a beautiful ball that curled into the goal just past the outstretched arms of Cleveland goalkeeper Colin Monroe.
Just after the goal, rain began to come down in upstate New York, but the club from Cleveland was not deterred, as Cleveland SC got on the board and tied the game with a well-executed set piece in the 35th minute.
After a foul on Buffalo near the 20-yard line, Cleveland was able to set up a great goal-scoring opportunity as John Hollis ran down the right side of the pitch and fired a pass that cut back through the box, which found the right foot of Luca Piazza for an equalizing goal.
The goal continues Piazza’s early stretch of good form, as he assisted the first goal of the season for Cleveland SC before getting his first goal of the season against the Stallions on Saturday.
As the first half began to wind down, it appeared that both squads would be entering the locker room with the game tied, but just before the first half went into extra time, Cleveland scored again, taking a 2-1 lead that would hold for the rest of the game.
In the 44th minute, the club made another run down the right side of the pitch, but Piazza crossed the ball back into the middle of the field where midfielder Jack Jenkins found his fellow midfield partner and current college teammate, Gabe Gotting, for a great goal that snuck past the Buffalo goalkeeper from 15 yards out.
Both Jenkins and Gotting are Wright State Raiders, and their connection paid off with a link-up that would ultimately go on to seal the victory for Cleveland.
Those two goals would prove to be all that the club needed to secure the victory, as the second half saw some great defensive play from the backline and goalkeeping tandem of Monroe and Alex Normandeau.
Cleveland’s attack was able to put some pressure on the Buffalo defense, but they were unable to find the back of the net for the rest of the game, and held on for the second win of the season for Cleveland SC.
The club currently sits at seven points after three games, getting two wins and a draw to start the season off hot.
The club will return to the pitch on Saturday, May 30, at home in George Finnie Stadium in Berea, Ohio, to face off against Niagara 1812, who are fourth in the Great Lakes Conference Standings.
The match will also feature a special Dads Stand Up CLE event. More details will be announced ahead of matchday. For more information on Dads Stand Up CLE, visit https://linktr.ee/dadsstandupcle.
Stay Connected
Comments