BUFFALO, NY- FC Buffalo concluded their season with a 2-0 win over Cleveland SC at Dobson Field on the campus of D’Youville University.
The win cements the Blitzers’ hold on third place in the Rust Belt Division, finishing the season with a record of 5-6-1 (16 pts). Cleveland SC drops to 8-3-1 (25 pts) claiming the Rust Belt Division title and advancing to the NPSL Playoffs.
Derek Bartlo scored the first goal for the Wolves, finishing a well-placed cross delivered by Sergio Fernandez-Arango to put FC Buffalo ahead in the first half.
Bartlo, co-winner of the FC Buffalo’s Heart and Soul Award as voted on by his peers, wore the captain’s armband for the first time following the retirement of FC Buffalo legend Chris Walter and accordingly put his name on the scoresheet.
Mohamodu “Mahmoud” Keita doubled the lead for the Wolves in the 82nd minute, registering his first goal of the season in his first start, while goalkeeper Bryce Tramuta added to his club records in wins (11) and clean sheets (7) in the season finale.
The game marks the end of the season for the FC Buffalo men’s team. The team persevered through a midseason coaching change, countless injuries, and other tough circumstances to finish with a win in the Rust Belt Division. Despite the persistent challenges, the team continued to improve and bring a high effort level to training and matches each week.
The improvement can be highlighted by the first and last results of the season, which saw the team lose 4-2 against Cleveland in the opener before righting the ship to defeat the same Cleveland team 2-0 tonight despite a shorthanded bench.
The scoring came from everywhere this season, with 10 different FC Buffalo players registering a goal this season. Ander Castillo lead all FC Buffalo goal scorers with 3 goals in 10 appearances. Two goalkeepers kept clean sheets for the Wolves this season, with Tramuta and Andreas Queen registering two each.
While the men’s season has come to a close, the FC Buffalo women will take on the winner of Coppermine United and the Connecticut Fusion on Sunday in the second round of the UWS Eastern Conference playoffs. For all FC Buffalo news and information be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels and FCBuffalo.org
