Is the BDSL a young player's league?

 

Some of the results in Week 1 -- the best possible week for overreactions -- suggest that's the case.

 

Buffalo Night (Division 1) showed up with only 11 players -- and quickly dropped to eight -- then casually stomped the more-veteran Chargers, 7-0, behind braces from St. Joe's senior Braun Borgese and Lancaster senior Declan Sengbusch, and a goal and two assists from St. Mary's senior Drew Miller. To Chargers' credit, they moved on succinctly, sharing on X: "Lost, rusty, go Sabres."

 

The NMB-Queenston result in Premier -- a 4-0 stomping by the Bears -- was the surprise result of the weekend and perhaps a sign the Parliament will lord over the lower half of the table this year. The young side remembering the life of Nolan Michael Burch is rife with players gearing up for the Buffalo Stallions season in the NPSL. The fitness edge likely played a role in the outcome -- and the outcome of many matches this weekend. 

 

Here's a whirlwind tour around the league on a Buffalo Sabres Playoff Sunday:

 

PREMIER:

 

Defending runners-up Sharpshooters did not look particularly comfortable in their 2-1 victory over Los Chupacabras, trailing for a stretch while needing a late Andy Loomis strike to seal the three points. 

 

It was less promising for defending champs BSC Raiders, who drew youthful Buffalo Stallions (not those Buffalo Stallions, but kind of because dual Stallion Keegan Herrmann notched the underdog's goal. It's a good thing I don't have an editor). 

 

BUSS dispatched premier newcomers Buffalo Celtic, 4-0, behind two Phil Pinzone goals. It may be a grind for Celtic to stay up this summer. Westside Blitz, in its premier debut, kept it respectable against Bees, falling 1-0 on a Alex Cancilla-to-Kyle Kleckner connection. 

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

 

A young player's league? Mes Que said, "Not so fast!" in their 3-2 opening win over Cattaraugus County. Ross Karipidis and Jackson Fresnel -- also teammates on Over-35 Oranje -- connected twice for Mes Que, while Ryan DiNunzio (Soho, O-35) grabbed the three points with a game-winning penalty kick in the dying moments.

 

Buffalo Italia kicked off its season with a strong showing in numbers -- with 17 -- and blanked Germania, essentially a rebooted Celtic United. Nino Marino and Dean Carollo tallied for the victors. 

 

Revs deserve a mention, too, absolutely battering Medina, 5-0, behind a Cam Murdie brace. Shout out for Hilbert! That might be Medina's worst match of the season.

 

Someone send us a transcription of the banter exchanged between Northtowns pals Willies and Rance. (Rance won, because Joe Fronczak just scores goals).

 

1ST DIVISION

 

Don't be shocked if the top of the table after the first weekend -- Honey Badgers, Mandem and Buffalo Night -- looks similar at the end of the season. Week 1 foes Clarence and Kunz -- where the 'Yotes prevailed 4-3 -- have potential to make noise as well. (Kunz's X account said they "played their hearts out," which is admirable, and it's best not to knock the hallowed grounds of the Amherst field.)

 

Badgers cruised behind "Death, Taxes and Tyler Diebold Goals," while Jake Stitt maintained his quiet history of production. For Mandem, whom we plan to confuse with Rance all year long, 2024 All-WNYer Dylan Stellrecht popped in a goal and an assist, but the team X account lauded Logan Bickel for his industry in midfield. They also cheered their own attendance, which is fun.

 

2ND DIVISION

 

We thought about dubbing this the "least exciting division" until receiving word of Buffalo Cosmos' 7-5 win over Great White Buffalo, which long abided by the defense-first approach. Pedro Alba shot NBA Jam-style fire balls, donning a hat for the Cosmos, while Aaron Kosowski-led GWB tried in vain to keep up. This match had Sabres-Lightning regular season vibes.

 

Everything else paled in comparison, except maybe WNY Phoenix vs. Infinity, who drew 3-3 and are likely both playoff teams. Zach Clayborne escaped the clutches of now-defunct Niagara FC and absolutely let loose in his Phoenix debut, claiming all of the goals. The fans are rushing for Clayborne No. 7 kits.

 

Crimson's Fabrizio Jaramillo, a Daemen alum, would win "best name for a goalscorer" in Week 1 if such a category existed. 

 

3RD DIVISION

Someone check with the BDSL oddsmakers on the chances of Nanners' Jared Burns scoring 20 goals this year. He's on pace!

 

Seth Andrews turned back the clock in NWO's 3-1 victory over Lake Shore, which welcomed back Wade Bergum (to the active roster and the score sheet, no less). Rust Belt grinded out a 1-0 win with Matt Walsh scoring the decisive marker, while midfield maestro Jon Habjan did not miss a beat for the Mavs, who dusted an undermanned Lasalle behind two Alex Di Perna goals. We have no idea if people call them the Mavs.

 

It's much too early to make any kind of reasonable calls about the outlook in D3. 

 

4TH DIVISION

 

A rude "Welcome to the BDSL" for the Erie Kats, who found themselves facing two-time All-WNY pick Roland Wenk. The Lancaster star just obliterated them, potting four. It will get better, Kats.

 

The Total Rai Tally was three goals and four assists for Saransthan FC, which smashed Tonawanda. Gopal Rai's three assists stood out from among the TRT. 

 

Kunz transplant Vahed Ghanbarzadeh scored two and BDSL newcomer Jeremy Sheftel added three assists in Queen City AFC's thumping of WNY United Reds. 

 

League darlings Flamingo FC got out on the strong awkwardly lanky foot by beating Big Green, 3-0. Two assists by Rhys Robillard -- perhaps better known this time of year for his lacrosse acumen -- and some real-time attendance lessons for the team's manager made this an appropriate BDSL start. Could Nikola Nikolov be the most productive 17-year-old in league history? 

 

OVER 35

 

Nothing has happened yet. But likely someone still managed to get hurt.