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Match Preview: Rebels vs. Syracuse (July 20)


Brian Kanalley kick pass

It's deja vu for the Albany Rebels as they prepare to play the Syracuse Gaels in a must-win situation on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Plumeri Sports Complex in Albany. (The match time was moved up due to the extreme heat forecast for the afternoon.)

The circumstances were the same just about a month ago when the Rebels needed a win against Syracuse to keep pace with Buffalo in the New York Cup standings. Albany met that challenge, defeating Syracuse 3-17 (26 points) to 1-9 (12 points) but now face a similar test.

Buffalo is 3-0 in the New York Cup so the Rebels, who are 1-1, must take down Syracuse this weekend and then travel to Buffalo next week and beat the Fenians by more than four points to win the tie-breaker and the coveted league title.

"These are both huge games for us, but it starts with Syracuse on Saturday," said co-head coach Mark Adam. "Our primary goal for this season is to win the New York Cup. To do that, we need to take care of business at home this weekend."

Albany has gotten big performances from experienced players when needed, including Cillian Flavin who scored a season-high 10 points in Albany's win against Syracuse last month.

“In the Buffalo game we lost our heads a bit and stopped doing the basic things correctly. We put that right for the majority of the Syracuse game,” Flavin said. “If we play smart, simple football we will continue to get positive results.”

Rebels Game Day Roster

  • Henry Best

  • Tom Caldwell

  • Dylan Conklin

  • Tucker Conklin

  • John DeCourcey

  • Joe Donlon

  • Sean Feeney

  • Cillian Flavin

  • Tim Gerrish

  • Mikey Heiserman

  • Brian Kanalley

  • Mike Lee

  • John Levendosky

  • Charles MacGowan

  • Ian Maher

  • Ryan Moloney

  • Mike Nolan

  • Chris Poggi

  • Nick Tebano

  • Tyler Wilcox

 

Admission is free for all Rebels home matches.

A free youth clinic had been scheduled for before the match, but due to the extreme heat, it was canceled and the match time was moved up to 10:30 a.m.

The Rebels will host Syracuse for a postgame party at the Irish Hall on Ontario Street immediately following the match. Rebels supporters are invited to attend.

Rebels Notes: The Rebels have a 6-1 overall record this season ... The Rebels have won their last four matches against Syracuse, dating back to 2018 ... Forward Chris Poggi leads the Rebels in scoring this season with 45 points (12 goals, 9 points) … Six players have appeared in every match this season (Henry Best, RC Helsing, Brian Kanalley, Mike Lee, Ryan Moloney and Chris Poggi) … Rookie John DeCourcey will make his debut on Saturday.

New York Cup Standings

Team-Win-Loss-Draw

1) Buffalo-3-0-0

2) Albany-1-1-0

3) Syracuse-0-3-0

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