Above photo of FCBR midfielder Theo Stamatopolous by Brandon Chiarmonte. For more, head here.
The FC Buffalo Reserves are now 2-for-2 in the oldest amateur Cup competition in the United States after to a cruising t a 4-2 win over Elbow Soup FC at the West Seneca Soccer Complex.
Boasting it’s deepest squad yet thanks to injury return of Eric Colon-Gonzalez (St. Francis University // Grand Island, N.Y.) and the school availability of Alex Drainville (SUNY Geneseo // Orchard Park, N.Y.), the Reserves controlled the ball early and then often.
“In a game that featured a great deal of offense, I was very impressed by Eric Colon-Gonzalez and Cody Niccloy amongst others on the back end,” said FC Buffalo general manager Nick Mendola after the game. “It’s nice to know our depth. I could see either of these players filling right in with the First Team, which speaks to the depth identified by our club and Coach Hector Vasquez.”
Again failing to take advantage of myriad early chances, the team’s finishing wake-up call came when Elbow Soup FC struck the underside of the bat with a rocket shot. The Reserves scored soon after, as center midfielder Theo Stamatapolous (Genesee Community College // Cromer, England) lofted a 40-yard ball over the defense that found Stephen Acheampong (D’Youville College // The Bronx, N.Y.) who calmly chipped the keeper to make it 1-0 in the 36th minute.
Elbow Soup was only able to beat first half goalkeeper Robert Weigand (St. John Fisher College // Cheektowaga, N.Y.) once, taking advantage of a defensive gaffe just before halftime but the Reserves would not let halftime see them level. Within a minute, defender Matt Veronica (D’Youville College // Tonawanda, N.Y.) slid a ball through the six that found Omar Sundi (Erie Community College // Buffalo, N.Y.) for goal No. 2.
The Reserves couldn’t score for the first 20 minutes of the second half despite controlling possession and the lack of finish almost cost them when a conceded breakaway looked like an easy goal. Fortunately, second half goalkeeper AJ Grecco (SUNY Fredonia // Kenmore, N.Y.) stymied the attacker.
The near concession seemed to spur the Reserves finishing skills to life. First Aaron Anaya (Medaille JV // Amherst, N.Y.) sent a 30-yard cross through the 18 that Stamatopolous buried with a half-volley. Less than 60 seconds later, Acheampong turned provider with a through ball to Marikos Habtemichael (Buffalo State College // Rochester, N.Y.) that the striker popped into goal. The Reserves allowed one late but held on for a 4-2 win.
The next Tehel Cup match for the Reserves will be June 13, when they’ll host either Depew Village or Celtic United.
FC Buffalo Reserves next BDSL Championship Division match is Sunday, May 19 at The Park School versus Wolfpack.
FC Buffalo Reserves statistics through four competitions:
