MONTCLAIR, N.J. (May 28, 2017) – New York Red Bulls II defeated the first-place Charleston Battery, 2-1, at MSU Soccer Park Sunday afternoon.
Helped by goals from Junior Flemmings and Derrick Etienne Jr., NYRB II snapped a three-game losing streak of their own, while also breaking Charleston’s seven-game unbeaten run in league play.
New York started the game on the right foot, effectively counter-pressing a Charleston side that was playing their third game in eight days.
Charleston were the side to open the scoring in the 45th minute beating NYRB II goalkeeper Ryan Meara off a free kick just outside the eighteen-yard box.
Red Bulls II went into halftime down, 1-0.
For the second week in a row, Junior Flemmings regiestered on the score sheet heading home a corner kick from the foot of Vincent Bezecourt past the Battery’s goalkeeper to equalize in 54th minute.
Red Bulls II pushed for the go-ahead goal and found it in the 75th minute off a Derrick-Etienne set piece that snuck over Charleston’s wall leaving no chance for the Battery’s goalkeeper.
Charleston threatened after the insertion of the USL’s second-leading goalscorer Romario Williams, but Meara came up with a handful of key saves to ensure the full three points for NYRB II at home.
New York: Meara; Najem (Justin Bilyeu, 79th minute), Ndam (Tim Schmoll, 88th minute), Abidor, O’Toole; Basuljevic, Tinari; Flemmings, Bezecourt, Etienne Jr. (Florian Valot, 81st minute); Allen
Charleston: Cooper; Griffith, Mueller, Robinson, Thomas; Otoo (Maikel Change, 59th minute), Goslin (Ataulla Guerra, 80th minute), Portillo, Marini; Garbanzo; Cordoves (Romario Williams, 69th minute)
Scoring Summary:
CHS: Justin Portillo 2 (unassisted) 45’
NY: Junior Flemmings 4 (Vincent Bezecourt) 54’
NY: Derrick Etienne Jr. 1 (unassisted) 75’
Misconduct Summary:
NY: Andrew Tinari 22’
NY: Ryan Meara 42’
NY: Hassan Ndam 44’
CHS: Ricky Garbanzo 65’
NY: Vincent Bezecourt 79’
