Match Preview: Rebels at Syracuse Gaels (7/16)

The Albany Rebels will play for the New York Cup on Saturday when they face the Syracuse Gaels in Syracuse, NY. The match will start at 11 a.m. and be played at Manlius Pebble Hill High School.

Whichever team wins this match will take the trophy by virtue of their 2-4 (10) to 2-4 (10) draw last month in Albany. In that match, the Rebels nearly won despite being down a man for 40 minutes following a red card. Syracuse scored off a free with a minute remaining to tie the game.

The rivalry between the Rebels and Gaels has turned a bit since 2021. After five consecutive wins for the Rebels starting in 2018, they have drawn twice and lost once to Syracuse.

Syracuse won the New York Cup last season with a win at Buffalo on the last weekend of competition.

Albany last won the New York Cup in 2018, defeating Syracuse on the road.

“This has always been a good rivalry,” said Rebels center back Mark Adam. “It was unfortunate that we couldn’t pull out the win last month but we know that we played well and we’re bringing a strong team to Syracuse tomorrow.”

The Gaels will host the Rebels at a postgame party immediately following the match.

Rebels Notes: The Rebels have 2 wins, 2 loses and a draw in full sided matches this season (1-5 in tournament matches) … Ryan Moloney leads the Rebels in scoring this season with 4 goals and 17 points (29) … Rookie Pierre Massena is second on the team in scoring this season with 4 goals and 5 points (17) … Albany’s last victory against Syracuse came on July 20, 2019 … Since then, the Rebels have two draws and a loss against the Gaels … Rebels midfielder Marc Massena will be playing in the second match of his career on Saturday (1 goal and 1 point in his debut last weekend) … Mark Adam led the Rebels in scoring against Syracuse last month with 1 goal and 1 point … Ian Maher is in the Rebels lineup for the first time since the season opening tournament in New York City.

Rebels Game Day Roster

• Mark Adam

• Henry Best

• Joe Bradley

• Tucker Conklin

• Pat Doyle

• Tim Gerrish

• Mikey Heiserman

• RC Helsing

• Brian Kanalley

• John Lake

• Paddy Loughlin

• Ian Maher

• Marc Massena

• Pierre Massena

• Ryan Moloney

• Dustin Moore

• Brian Nolan

• Seamus O'Donnell

• Scotto