Photo credit: Matt Birt

The red-head from Alfred was red-hot on a 90-degree day in Ohio.

A two-goal performance from Jeff Thomas earned FC Buffalo a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Saints on Sunday afternoon in Ohio. Thomas was named Rich Products Man of the Match for his efforts.

Goalkeeper Waleed Cassis (Ottawa, Ontario // University at Buffalo) backstopped his second straight clean sheet while joining Jake Rinow, Chris Walter, Tyler Allen and Bobby Ross as the only players to play 180 minutes this weekend. The Wolves started their weekend with a 3-0 home win over AFC Cleveland on Friday.

BOX SCORE

Thomas (Canandaigua, N.Y. // Alfred University) struck twice in the first half, opening the game’s scoring when his back post run was rewarded. Brian Knapp’s huge throw was flicked across the six by Ian Mort, and Thomas headed home to make it 1-0 in the 25th minute.

His second came less than 15 minutes later. Russell Cicerone (Bloomington Hills, Mich. // University at Buffalo) got the ball to Thomas, who danced around a defender before curling a 19-yard shot around Cincinnati keeper Jamie Starr and into the side netting. It was 2-0 in the 39th minute.

FC Buffalo’s next match is Wednesday in Pittsburgh, as the Wolves play their first of three season matches against Great Lakes Conference East newcomer Fort Pitt Regiment.

LINEUPS

Cincinnati Saints: Starr; Queree, Thomas, Segebart, Willoughby; Blackburn, Cantor, Shugh; Nock, Hansson, G. Henderson.

FC Buffalo: Cassis; T. Allen, Rinow, Ross, Walter; Tagaloa, Knapp (Bednarsky, 53′), Mort (Hanson, 72′), Cicerone (Berardi, 78′), Thomas (Rogers, 80′); Lee-Him (Fiemawhle, 67′)

Goals: Thomas 2 (25′)

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