Match Report | Cleveland SC vs Buffalo Stallions
- Cleveland SC
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Vagujhelyi’s Hat Trick Powers Cleveland SC to 3-2 Comeback Win Over Buffalo Stallions
BEREA, OH — In a thrilling display of resilience and attacking firepower, Cleveland SC capped off their three-match homestand with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Stallions on Saturday night at George Finnie Stadium. The win moves Cleveland to 3-1-2 on the season and solidifies their position in the top four of the Great Lakes Conference playoff race.
The night belonged to Nicolas Vagujhelyi, who delivered a sensational hat trick, including the match-winner in the 79th minute, to complete Cleveland’s comeback after trailing 2-0 just nine minutes into the match.
Buffalo struck early with a lightning-fast start that caught the Cleveland backline off guard. In the 2nd minute, forward Tyler Warmington got behind the defense on a lofted ball from Samuel Lamendola, calmly controlling the ball and slotting a left-footed shot into the right side of the net from the right wing.
Buffalo doubled their lead just seven minutes later, as Luke Szablewski found space on the left wing, broke free, and tucked home a second goal past Cleveland goalkeeper Ryan Poling. Making his second start of the season, Poling’s night began with two early concessions, putting the home side in a major hole.
But Poling responded with composure and poise, keeping Buffalo off the scoresheet for the remaining 80 minutes. He made several crucial stops, including a standout moment in first-half stoppage time (45+3'), when he raced off his line to thwart a 1-on-1 breakaway, clearing the danger and preserving Cleveland’s chances heading into the half.
The momentum began to shift in the 17th minute, when Vagujhelyi cut the deficit in half. Midfielder Steven Ngunga delivered a precise cross into the middle of the box, and Vagujhelyi rose above the defense to bury a clinical header into the back of the net.
Cleveland dominated the remainder of the first half in search of the equalizer. Ngunga, Tamas Nagy, and Uleto Fuentes each tested the Buffalo keeper with quality chances in the 22nd, 29th, and 33rd minutes, but couldn’t find the finishing touch.
The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute. A well-driven set piece from Tamas Nagy caused havoc in the box, and Vagujhelyi was in the right place at the right time to smash home the rebound and draw Cleveland level at 2-2.
Just four minutes later, Vagujhelyi completed his heroic night. Controlling a ball into the box with his chest, he calmly shifted to his left foot and rifled a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net—securing the hat trick and turning the game on its head as Cleveland took a 3-2 lead.
With the lead in hand, Cleveland controlled possession and showed discipline down the stretch, keeping the Stallions at bay and sending the home crowd into celebration mode. It was a gutsy performance from a side playing its fourth match in just 11 days, and the team fed off the energy of the George Finnie faithful to see the result through.
The match featured its share of physicality and late-game tension. Buffalo picked up yellow cards in the 45th minute (Riley Quinn), 47th (Luke Szablewski), and 79th (Riley Wagner), while Cleveland’s Bobby Turner was booked in the 79th minute. A heated exchange in the 85th minute resulted in red cards to both Turner and Buffalo’s Larry Noel, reducing each side to 10 men for the final minutes of play.
After the match, Vagujhelyi’s performance was as heartfelt as it was heroic. When asked about his incredible night, he shared the personal motivation that fueled his hat trick: “I’m gonna be honest, I missed my cousin’s wedding to be here,” he said with a smile. “Shoutout to them, love you guys… that’s what gave me it, that’s what gave me the three goals.” The emotion behind the moment only added to the significance of his performance.
With the win, Cleveland SC maintains 4th place in the Great Lakes Conference standings, keeping pace in the playoff race. The club now heads back on the road to take on 1st-place Flower City Union this Sunday, June 15th—the very team that snatched the final playoff spot from Cleveland in last year’s heartbreaking finish. With the stakes high and redemption on their minds, Cleveland will be eager to make a statement as the second half of the season kicks into gear.
Relive all the action of Cleveland’s win with the condensed game highlighted [HERE].
The full match can be watched on our YouTube Channel.
The club returns home on Saturday, June 21, for Youth Night. All kids wearing their club jerseys receive free admission, so come out and represent your team as Cleveland continues its push toward the postseason. Tickets can be found [HERE].
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