The Red Bulls Academy Under-14 team won its third straight Northeast Regional Playoffs this weekend, and will now take place in the U.S. Club Soccer National Championships in July. On Saturday, the U-14s defeated fourth-seeded Albertson to advance to the title game. Ethan Lochner scored twice, while Jerel Blades and Anthony Sileo rounded out the scoring, On Sunday for the title, the U-14s squared off against the top-seeded Baltimore Bays, who had handed the squad its only defeat of the season back in April. The Red Bulls got their retribution, taking the back-and-forth match 4-3. Lochner again scored twice, while Gideon Metrikin also got in on the action with a goal of his own.
The Under-18 Red Bulls also celebrated a title this weekend, winning the Liberty Division title in the East Conference of the United States Development Academy. On Saturday, the U-18s beat local rival Albertson on the road, with goalkeeper Max Brown pitching a shutout in a 2-0 win. After a scoreless first half, Brandon Allen found the back of the net twice, in the 65th and 82nd minutes to earn the victory. On Sunday, the U-18s found the offensive touch, putting in five goals en route to another shutout win, cinching the Division title. The Red Bulls got goals before halftime from Danny Bedoya, Ethan Decker and Allen, his 23rd of the season. Scotty Thomsen and Alex Muyl, who scored his first goal for the U-18s while playing up an age group, rounded out the scoring.
The Under-16 Red Bulls went unbeaten this week. On Saturday, the Red Bulls faced Albertson and found themselves down fairly late in the game, however the squad fought back and earned a penalty kick that Matt Miazga converted to earn a draw. The following day, the U-16s knocked off FC Westchester, 2-0. John Toher scored mid way through the first half and Malcolm Dixon scored mid way through the second half to help the Red Bulls to the away win. Alec Gogic and Evan Louro combined for the shutout win in goal, while Vinny Brunetti provided both assists.
Unfortunately, the U-15 and U-13 Red Bulls both fell in the playoffs this week. The Uner 15 side advanced to the title match, defeating PDA on Saturday 2-0 before falling to the New York Cosmos on Sunday, 3-1. The U-13 side also fell to the Cosmos, 3-0, on Saturday in the semifinals.
