Flower City Union’s perfect start to the 2025 NPSL season came to an end on Sunday, but not without a fight. In a high-stakes clash at Rochester Community Sports Complex, the Union played to a 3–3 draw against a surging Cleveland SC side, delivering a performance full of attacking flair, momentum shifts, and late-game drama.
Coming into the match with a 5–0–0 record and boasting one of the league’s stingiest defenses, Flower City was tested early when Cleveland’s Nicolas Vagujhelyi opened the scoring in just the fourth minute. After a save by goalkeeper Jax Flugel on a breakaway effort by Cian Tunney, the rebound fell to Vagujhelyi, who tucked it home for his fifth goal in three matches.
Despite the early setback, Flower City Union responded with composure and intent. The trio of Nate Masucci, Gavin Rice, and Nick Rippe began to dictate tempo, and it paid off as the first half wore on. Masucci brought the match level in the 40th minute with a clever individual effort, weaving through defenders and slotting a low strike past Cleveland keeper Ryan Poling.
Just three minutes later, Flower City struck again. Josh Baraka delivered a beautifully lofted ball over the Cleveland back line, finding Gaven Egan in stride. Egan made no mistake, calmly finishing to give the hosts a 2–1 lead heading into halftime — a well-earned advantage following 20 minutes of dominance in possession and chances.
Flower City Union looked to tighten its grip on the match after the break, with Jack Hopson and Kyle Nelson pushing forward to support the attack. Dylan Rice created several dangerous moments in the final third, and Jax Flugel remained sharp in goal, confidently claiming crosses and organizing the back line.
But Cleveland continued to show resilience. In the 64th minute, Tunney rose to meet a cross from Tamas Nagy, leveling the score with a powerful header. Flower City didn’t back down, and just 13 minutes later, their pressure produced another breakthrough. Dylan Rice carved his way into the box and fired a low shot that deflected off a Cleveland defender and looped into the net — later ruled an own goal but driven by Rice’s aggressive play.
Flower City appeared poised to secure a sixth straight win, but the final moments saw Cleveland pushing forward with urgency. In stoppage time, Flugel made a tough save on a long-range strike from Nagy, but the rebound was kept alive and eventually lofted back into the box. Tunney once again rose to the occasion, heading in his second goal of the match in the 93rd minute to salvage a point for the visitors.
For Flower City Union, the draw was a frustrating result given the quality and control they displayed throughout large stretches of the match. Still unbeaten and sitting atop the NPSL Great Lakes Conference, they will try to move on from the match as they face local rival, and second-place RNYFC, on Thursday. Meanwhile, Cleveland SC improved to 3-2-2 and moved on to their next game against Syracuse FC at home next Saturday.
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Match Details
Competition: National Premier Soccer League
Date: June 15, 2025
Venue: Rochester Community Sports Complex, Rochester, NY
Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM ET
Goals
4′ – Nicolas Vagujhelyi (CLE)
40′ – Nate Masucci (FCU)
43′ – Gaven Egan (FCU)
64′ – Cian Tunney (CLE)
77′ – Own Goal (by FCU)
90+3′ – Cian Tunney (CLE)
Discipline
52′ – Cian Tunney (CLE) – Yellow Card
84′ – Alexandru Rumleanschi (CLE) – Yellow Card
82′ – Dylan Rice (FCU) – Yellow Card
87′ – Matt Bamford (FCU) – Yellow Card
Starting Lineups
Flower City Union: Jax Flugel, Ryan Fitzgerald, Matt Bamford, Josh Baraka, Dylan Rice, Nick Rippe, Nate Masucci, Jack Hopson, Gavin Rice, Gaven Egan, Kyle Nelson
Cleveland SC: Ryan Poling, Alexandru Rumleanschi, Tapiwa Mushonga, Kristopher McDonald, Uleto Fuentes, Ostlund, Daniel Tregansin, Kyle Healy, Cian Tunney, Nicolas Vagujhelyi, Tamas Nagy
