HARRISON, N.J. (September 13) - The New York Red Bulls II (16-5-4, 54 pts) defeated Columbus Crew 2 (11-8-6, 43 pts) 3-2 on Saturday night at Wicks Family Field.
New York opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Midfielder Andy Rojas slipped a through ball to forward Mijahir Jimenez who took a one time left-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Huntsville City leveled the score in the 73rd minute. Defender Tyshawn Rose played a ball to the top of the box to midfielder Alan Carleton who took a touch and laced a shot into the top left corner.
Two minutes later, Red Bulls II regained the lead in the 75th minute. Midfielder Nehuen Benedetti played a ball to midfielder Dennis Nelich at the top of the box. Nelich took a touch inside and curled a shot into the bottom right corner.
Huntsville City were awarded a penalty kick in the 79th minute when defender Jair Collahuazo fouled forward Gunnar Studenhofft in the box. Defender Zach Barrett converted his attempt into the bottom left corner to level the match 2-2.
New York sealed the deal in the 89th minute. Midfielder Steven Sserwadda played a ball towards the top of the box to Benedetti who took a touch and had his shot deflected by a Huntsville defender into the bottom right corner
Benedetti leads the club in scoring this season with 11 and is tied for fifth-most goals scored in MLS NEXT Pro.
With the goal, the midfielder ties Tom Barlow and Mathias Jørgensen for second-most single season goals in club history.
Benedetti dished out his seventh assist of the season and is tied for the fourth-most assists in MLS NEXT Pro.
The assist ties Benedetti with Janos Loebe for fourth-most single season assists in club history.
The Bosques, Argentina native tallied his 17th and 18th goal contributions of the season, which ties him with Jared Stroud for fourth-most goal contributions in a single season in Red Bulls II history.
Benedetti has five goal contributions in his last two matches.
Jimenez scored his eighth goal of the season and moves to second-most goals scored on Red Bulls II this season.
The Panamanian forward has scored a goal in back-to-back matches.
Nelich scored his second goal of the season.
Rojas tallied his second assist of the season.
Sserwadda dished his second assist of the season.
The midfielder made his 65th appearance and passes Vincent Bezecourt for fourth-most appearances by a midfielder in Red Bulls II history.
Defender Juan Gutierrez made his 65th career appearance for Red Bulls II, moving him past Hassan Ndam for second-most appearances by a defender in club history.
The defender’s 65th appearance also passed Jared Stroud for fifth-most appearances in franchise history.
Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes made three saves.
Red Bulls II have scored three or more goals in each of their last two matches. The side has also scored two or more goals in three of their last four matches.
Following Saturday’s match, New York will return home to MSU Soccer Park to face Inter Miami CF II. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
