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Match Preview: Albany at Buffalo (7/27)


Tom Caldwell carrying the ball

The Albany Rebels will play their most important match of the season on Saturday when they face the Buffalo Fenians in the New York Cup final at Cazenovia Park in Buffalo. The Rebels (2-1 in NY Cup) must defeat Buffalo (3-0 in NY Cup) and do it by more than four points to win the tie-breaker of head-to-head point differential, and with it, the New York Cup.

The Rebels lost to the Fenians earlier this season 3-9 (18 points) to 1-11 (14 points). The second tie-breaker, should Albany win by four points, would favor Buffalo since they have a better point-differential in all New York Cup competition matches.

“Our whole season has been building to this point and it’s fitting that the last game of the New York Cup will decide the winner,” said Rebels co-head coach Ryan Moloney. “Our fate is in our own hands and we know exactly what we need to do to keep the trophy in Albany another year.”

Since the four-point loss to Buffalo in June, the Rebels have responded well, beating Syracuse twice to keep their New York Cup hopes alive. The most recent win came last weekend when Albany gave its best defensive performance of the season, allowing just five points in a decisive victory.

A bright spot was the addition of rookie John DeCourcey, who scored three points in his debut.

"It seems all season long, we’ve had different players step up and contribute,” said Rebels co-head coach Mark Adam. “Whether it’s John DeCourcey, or RC Helsing defensively, or Sean Feeney coming into his own, every guy on this team has improved and made us better.”

Rebels Notes: The Albany Rebels have a 7-1 overall record this season (2-1 in NY Cup) … Ian Maher, Ryan Moloney and Tom Caldwell combined to score 14 points (2 goals, 8 points) in Saturday’s win against Syracuse … Rookie John DeCourcey scored three points in his debut performance … Four players have appeared in every match this season (Henry Best, Mike Lee, Ryan Moloney and Chris Poggi) … Forward Chris Poggi led the Rebels with a goal and three points in Albany’s first meeting with Buffalo this season … Albany has a win, a draw and two losses in four all-time matches against Buffalo … Albany has outscored Buffalo 66-55 in those matches.

Rebels Game Day Roster

  • Henry Best

  • Joe Bradley

  • Tom Caldwell

  • Dylan Conklin

  • John DeCourcey

  • Sean Feeney

  • Cillian Flavin

  • Mikey Heiserman

  • RC Helsing

  • Brian Kanalley

  • Charles MacGowan

  • Ian Maher

  • Ryan Moloney

  • Chris Poggi

  • Brendan Rock

  • Tyler Wilcox

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