Men’s First Team Battle Back for 1-1 Draw Despite Red Card
By Zander Plizga
Buffalo, NY – The Men’s First Team remained top of the table with a 1-1 tie at FC Buffalo Saturday afternoon. This result moved the men to a (6-0-3) record on the season. A red card early into the second half halted the Steel City momentum and forced the guys to battle back down both a goal and a man, but Steel City is never out of a game. The guys were able to find an equalizer from Keke Abai (Boston ’27) in the 75th minute and sought out the rest of the game on the defensive end.
Photo Cred: Rocco Donnelly
Slow Start
The opening 30 minutes were sloppy on both sides, with a lot of direct play and little valued possession. Neither team generated many attacks from open play. It wasn’t until the end of the half that both teams were able to create some chances from set pieces. Josh Lane (RMU ’27) was called to action in the 39th minute on an FC Buffalo free kick just outside the eighteen. The shot went around the ball and bounced just before Lane made a diving stop.
Momentum Shift
Steel City came out for the second half and immediately established control, moving and running off the ball better. More attacking chances were created, but nothing that tested the opposing keeper. Momentum shifted in the 53rd minute when Buffalo hit on a quick counter wide while Steel City was unorganized, and they capitalized to go up 1-0. Things went from bad to worse in the 60th minute when Steel City were assessed a red card and now down to 10 men for the last 30 minutes of the match.
Photo Cred: Rocco Donnelly
10 Men, No Problem!
Despite being down to 10 men, SCFC kept fighting and showed how connected and comfortable they are without the ball. After inviting pressure and winning loose balls, Abai found a ball to Anass Hadran (RMU ’26), who led the break. Hadran played a ball into Nick Graeca (John Carroll ’25), who switched the field back to Abai on the near side. He circulated the ball back over to Graeca, who slipped in Jake Lane (Old Dominion ’27) one-on-one with the wing back. Lane hit some of his signature stepovers and sat down the defender before clipping a looping ball back post, where Abai pounced on it and leveled the score at 1 a piece in the 75th minute.
Leaving it all on the Field
Luke Fiscus (Duquesne ’28) and Cam Territo (Duquesne ’23) were the heart of the game. They each saw a grueling 90-plus minutes of action. Fiscus made a plethora of huge tackles, none more important than his game-saving track down in the 65th minute to win the ball and throw off the opposing striker after rounding Lane. Territo led from the midfield, slowing down the play and controlling the game when SCFC needed it most. He was also at the front of a lot of opposition fouls and frustrated Buffalo with his ability to intercept passes and win aerial duels.
(Lane)iac
Josh Lane remains one of the best goalies in all of USL 2. Late in added time, Lane was forced into a one-on-one after a miscommunication at the back. The Buffalo striker was charging down the right flank, his touch took him into the box, where Lane came sprawling out, getting an arm on the shot and sending it the other direction. Lane continues to make amazing saves like this look routine, and anchors this Steel City backline.
Up Next
Steel City FC returns to action on Wednesday, July 1, when they take on Cleveland Force at Founders Field for the last home game of the season. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., with tickets available HERE.
Wednesday’s game will also be broadcast on SportsEngine.