Wolves shoot out the Stars in Michigan

PONTIAC, MICH — FC Buffalo bounced back from last week’s loss with a nervy but fairly complete 3-1 win over Michigan Stars FC on Saturday night.

Kendell McFayden, Kevin Kappock and Fox Slotemaker scored as the Wolves overcame allowing an equalizer from 10-man Michigan to pick up a two-goal win. Brian Knapp, Dylan MacVane and Scott Doney each picked up assists.

Andrew Coughlin and center backs Slotemaker and Adam Lauko had an outstanding game in the back, the goalkeeper making a number of huge saves while the game was still in the balance.

Starting at striker for the first time since last season, McFayden opened the scoring when he capped off a neat build-up. Julian Ekeze saved a ball in the right corner and slipped it to Kappock. The Marist back slid a pass through traffic to college teammate MacVane, and McFayden didn’t miss from the spot with a hard shot to make it 1-0 in the 30th minute.

The Wolves then had a 1-0 lead when Luis Gomez picked up a yellow card on his second dangerous foul of Erik Dahl. But FCB may’ve been a little too daring with the man advantage, as Alexander Serwatka tied the match in the 69th minute off a long ball over the top.

The lead was restored fairly quickly, as Kappock picked up a smooth feed from Knapp and launched a 30-yard shot into the upper 90.

Knapp was just one of several big contributors off the bench for head coach Brendan Murphy’s crew, and his nifty left-footed cross found Rob Brandell, who headed back to Doney. UB teammate Slotemaker picked up the loose ball and netted that 88th minute chance. The Wolves left town with all three points.

The win boosts FCB back into a playoff slot, and the Blitzers are home next Sunday at 1 p.m. to face Fort Pitt Regiment.

LINEUP

FC Buffalo: Coughlin; M. Ferguson (Willings, 53′), Slotemaker, Lauko, Kappock; Walter (DiLorenzo, 88′), MacVane (Brandell, 63′); Ekeze (Larocque, 70′), Dahl (Doney, 62′), A. Ferguson (Knapp, 76′); McFayden (Maier, 66′)

Goals: McFayden (30′), Kappock (76′), Slotemaker (88′)

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