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FC Buffalo fell to Toledo Villa 1-0 at Paul Hotmer Field in Ohio despite goalkeeper Andreas Kokoska’s heroics, dropping FCB to 1-1 on the young season.
Toledo’s backline and midfield troubled the Wolves. In the scoreless first half, keeping FCB from maintaining possession and preventing the strikers from making runs in behind, a tactic the Wolves used during Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Erie Commodores.
[ RELATED: FC Buffalo men beat rival Erie 5-1 ]
Yet, the Wolves found their rhythm once midfielder Timo Jansen dropped deep numerous times to relieve pressure. A Jansen through ball to Ander Castillo almost put the Wolves in front in the 27th minute, but his shot from inside the right side of the 18-yard box hit the side of the net.
Castillo almost scored his fifth goal of the season after converting on a driven cross from Ashton Jell later in the first half. However, the assistant referee waved his flag up for an offside call.
Kokoska’s series of magnificent saves began in the 32nd minute. The Czech backstop stopped a low-driven shot from Toledo’s Jaland Larmond by kicking out his left foot to stop Toledo’s first dangerous opportunity.
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Kokoska became FCB’s Man of the Match as he made two more saves, including another dangerous shot from Larmond inside the penalty box in the 48th minute.
Toledo scored the loan goal of the match early in the second half after Andrew Schaffer placed the ball inside the near post in the 56th minute.
Aitor Jorde, who was substituted in the second half, was shown a red card following a mistimed tackle on Toledo midfielder Cam Territo in the 64th minute. Following a scuffle between both sides, Toledo midfielder Ali Nasser also received a red card two minutes later for an aggressive and verbal reaction.
A 90th-minute block from Toledo defender Tristen Rose on a shot from FCB forward Diego Rivera inside the penalty area ended FCB’s chance to get a late equalizer.
The Wolves return on the road to visit Krenzler Field and face last season’s second-place Cleveland Force for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
