The Red Bulls Academy went an impressive 8-0-1 over the weekend highlighted by the Under-23 team winning two more matches to run its unbeaten streak to seven. The team traveled to Maine for matches on Saturday and Sunday, beginning with a 2-0 victory over the Seacoast Phantoms. The first 70 minutes of the match went by with the teams level, but Blerti Hajdari finally broke the deadlock, hammering in a rebound off a Mike Innocenzi strike. A few minutes later, Hajdari peppered in a strike from about 30 yards out to provide the insurance goal. On Sunday, the U-23’s scored twice again, beating Seacoast United 2-1 to stay atop the league table. Mark Brode’s first goal of the season, finishing off a Konrad Plewa pass. Then it was Hajdari again firing home his third goal of the weekend putting the Red Bulls in command. Seacoast United did eventually pull one back, but the Red Bulls were able to hold for the victory despite 12 minutes of added time in the second half.
Brandon Allen continued his excellent season this weekend, scoring four times to raise his season total to 21. On Saturday, the U-18’s defeated the Cosmos Academy by a 4-1 score. After Kerlins Georges opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, the Cosmos were able to level the game just moments later. That’s where Allen took over, scoring in the 32nd, 76th and 87th minutes, with Mael Corboz assisting on two of the goals. The following day, the U-18s again found the back of the net with regularity, defeating Met Oval 5-1, moving into first place in the Liberty Division. A fourth minute Met Oval own goal put the Red Bulls on top, and the squad extended the lead to 4-0 before halftime with two goals from Ethan Decker and one from Eric Lagg. Again, Corboz played facilitator, setting up both of Decker’s goals to raise his season assist total to six. For good measure in the second half, Allen converted a Danny Bedoya feed for his 21st goal of the season.
On Saturday, the Under-16 Red Bulls defeated the Cosmos Academy 2-0. Alex Muyl had a part in both goals, setting up Amando Moreno for the first goal which came after a scoreless first frame. Muyl then scored an excellent goal, picking the ball up from midfield and dribbling past three Cosmos defenders before rounding the goalkeeper and sending the ball into the back of the net. The following day, the U-16s picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Met Oval. The Red Bulls went ahead on a goal by Vinny Brunetti, but the Cosmos leveled the game before halftime. Despite playing with 10 men throughout most of the second half, the Red Bulls were able to defend well and earn the draw.
The Red Bulls Under-13, Under-14 and Under-15 teams all advanced to the semifinals of their respective playoffs with victories this weekend. Matt Olusunde notched four goals and two assists in a one-sided win over Met Oval for the U-13s. On Sunday the U-14s defeated Matchfit Academy 4-0, led by two goals and an assist from Rafael Terci, and the Undr-15s also found the back of the net often, pouring in six in a win over Albertson on Sunday thanks to a hat trick from Harrison Steadman. All three teams will play in the semifinals this coming weekend in Lancaster, PA.
