In a spirited two-hour Thursday morning try-out at Sportsplex in North Tonawanda, players hailing from Amherst, N.Y. to Kent, United Kingdom, efforted to take another step in making the premier edition of FC Buffalo, Western New York’s entry in the National Premier Soccer League.
“For the first event of the year, it was definitely a positive,” said head coach Jim Hesch, also the boss at Canisius College. “I saw a couple new faces that definitely piqued my interest and have a shot at making the final squad.”
The trial focused on ball possession and end-line-to-end-line effort, culminating in a full-field scrimmage. Team White and Team Dark battled to a 3-3 draw. Some highlights included a four-pass Team Dark goal tipped in by Billy Cecere (East Amherst, N.Y./Niagara University) and a side-netting rip from a couple yards outside the 18 for Team White by Mike Unwin (Basingstoke, England/University at Buffalo).
Coach Hesch finished the try-out by addressing the players as a unit, and telling them that if they are one of the folks to make the team, they had better be committed to the year’s biggest goal: an NPSL Championship.
More trials will occur by the invite of Hesch, including an event open-to-the-public viewing on January 15 at 9 p.m. at Sahlen’s Sports Park in Elma, N.Y.
Some roster announcements will be made early next week.
