Photo by Brett Ballachino
Ander Castillo scored twice and set up another goal as FC Buffalo started its 2024 USL League Two season with a 4-1 defeat of Toledo Villa at Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium on Sunday.
The Wolves rung up a 3-0 lead through Castillo’s brace and a Fabian Overkamp goal, then restored the three-goal advantage when Matheus Spina swept in a clever back leg goal in the second half.
Spina and Castillo also scored in Thursday’s Brewers Cup first leg win over Erie at All-High, as new FCB head coach Sean Hallas is now 2-0 in his brief tenure.
Castillo opened the scoring by out-muscling a defender to reach Ashton Jell’s cross from the right in the eighth minute. The Wolves expanded the lead 12 minutes later when Fabian Overkamp dug out a ping-ponging Timo Jansen corner kick and slung it low inside the near post.
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It went to 3-0 in the 24th minute when captain Max Kwitchoff’s seeing-eye clearance sent Ander Castillo and Felix Kogler 2v1 with a Villa back. Castillo held onto the ball while walking toward the right of the 18, then cut the ball across his body inside the near post.
Villa pulled within one after the hour mark, but FCB had an answer. Kobe Grant turned and dribbled from his own end into the center of the park, finding a incisive pass that helped Castillo find the right flank. His cross was swept into the goal with a clever back leg from Spina in front of goal.
The Wolves have a long wait for a home game, but go to Erie on Wednesday in the second leg of the Erie County Brewers Cup. Then it’s a week off before a visit to Toledo.
The FC Buffalo women open their season at 7pm Friday with a trip to FC Berlin at Buffalo State University.
