One of just a handful of non-BDSL Premier teams left in America’s oldest amateur soccer tournament, the FC Buffalo Reserves nearly upset Premier side Celtic United in the tournament’s Round of 16.
It took extra time for the third place Celtic United to top the Reserves with 6-5 being the final score at Ellicott Creek Park, home field to Thursday’s opponents.
The Reserves went down 4-2 in the first half but stormed back to take a 5-4 lead in the second frame. Celtic United used two razor-thin onside runs to tie the game with scant few minutes in regulation and win the game in extra time.
“We played well enough to win,” said FCBR defender Paul Loweecey. “One more bounce and we win.”
Omar Sundi of Erie Community College, Mate Tarr of D’Youville College and Alexander Drainville of SUNY Geneseo each tallied for FCBR, while Aaron Anaya of Medaille College scored a brace for the Reserves.
The Reserves will look to use the near-upset as a boost to a disappointing BDSL Championship Division campaign that has seen them claim just 3 points from 7 games when they host NS Alliance at Park School on Sunday at 6 p.m.
