Syracuse FC Falls to FC Buffalo on the Road

Syracuse FC could not contain FC Buffalo from set pieces as they fell to their Eastern Conference rivals on Sunday night. The game started at 7:00 pm at Robert Rich All-High Stadium in Buffalo, as Syracuse FC looked to grab its second consecutive away win.

Syracuse FC started the game trying to get some chances and carry its momentum from Wednesday’s 7-1 victory over Greater Binghamton FC. In the ninth minute, Manny Chanelo had a shot blocked off of the corner and Adam Blackwell hit a free kick over the net in the 15th minute, The game remained scoreless.

It was FC Buffalo who grabbed the opening goal when  FCB’s Shackleford put it in off a free kick to give the home team the early lead. Shackleford found the net again in the 32nd minute when he placed his free kick past Syracuse goalkeeper Jake Leahy.

Buffalo’s goals were answered three minutes later when SFC’s Nate Bourdeau scored his first goal of the season from a great feed by Chanelo, bringing the score to 2-1 Buffalo.

Shackleford still was a threat, and completed his hat trick in the 38th minute to make it 3-1. FC Buffalo grabbed another goal right before halftime through Bayley Winkel to Wilson to make it 4-1 going into the break.

Syracuse FC weathered the storm following half time, but were unable to break through the Buffalo defense. Their first chance came in the 50th minute when a corner from Blackwell almost made its way in the goal.

The scoreless second half saw two Syracuse substitutions. Jake Kohlbrenner came in for Brkovic in the 59th and Abdi Maalo subbed in for Chanelo in the 62nd.

John-Austin Ricks almost found the top corner of Buffalo’s net in the 72nd minute, but a great save by Buffalo’s Casey kept the score at 4-1. One minute later, SFC’s Leahy made his own great save to keep Buffalo from expanding their lead.

A last Syracuse substitution in the 78th brought Connor McKnight in for Kohlbrenner.

Buffalo had one more chance to score in stoppage time but the shot hit the post and the game ended at 4-1 FC Buffalo.

Syracuse FC travels to Erie next for a rematch against the Commodores on June 2nd. The team returns home on Wednesday, June 6th to face the Rochester Lancers at 7:00 pm at Lazer Stadium.

Match day tickets are available at the box office beginning one hour (6:00 pm) prior to every home game. Or purchase your tickets in advance at www.syracusefcshop.net/match-tickets/ and receive an online discount. Season tickets are available at www.syracusefc.net/season-tickets/.

Contributor: Kristen Klawitter/Syracuse FC
Photo Credit: Syracuse FC