HARRISON, N.J. (August 29, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II earned its second consecutive shutout at Red Bull Arena against Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 2-0. Manolo Sanchez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Marius Obekop added his fifth of the season to cap off the match.
With the win, New York Red Bulls II improves to 11-8-6 on the season and will remain in third place of the Eastern Conference. Through 25 matches this season, New York has 39 points with three games remaining in the regular season.
Red Bulls II jumped on the match early, pressing high, earning the bulk of the possession, and forcing turnovers. After a few early chances, New York pulled ahead in the 22nd minute. Speedy Williams was on the ball when he was held up and tugged by a Wilmington defender. The referee spotted the foul and signaled to play on, when James Thomas took the ball. Thomas sprinted forward and played the ball out wide to Manolo Sanchez, who slotted away his chance at the back post, his third goal of the season.
Seven minutes later, Red Bulls II doubled its lead on a turnover. A back pass in midfield was intercepted by Marius Obekop, who sprinted at the Wilmington back line. Cutting across the center of the midfield to his left, Obekop just entered the penalty box when he unleashed a low-driven shot with his left-foot. Sent towards the back post, the shot was just out of reach of the diving Andre Rawls and the lead was doubled, 2-0.
By the end of the first half, Red Bulls II totaled nine shots and blanked Wilmington, allowing no shots in the opening 45 minutes. The Hammerheads did not earn their first shot until the 59th minute, when Brian Ackley fired a shot on goal which was parried away to safety by Santiago Castano.
In the second half, New York’s best chance came when Leo Stolz spotted second half substitute Chris Tsonis alone at the back post. Stolz slashed in a corner which Tsonis struck on the volley, but the shot soared over the crossbar.
Wilmington nearly got on the score sheet in the 79th minute when Kyle Gurrieri got on the end of a header, but the shot was sent wide of net. Red Bulls II hung on in the late stages of the match to earn the team’s eleventh win of the season.
New York Red Bulls II return to action next weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5 in the team’s final USL regular season home match at Red Bull Arena against Louisville City FC 5 p.m. EDT (WATCH: NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live; TICKETS: NYRB II vs. Louisville City FC).
Scoring Summary
NY: Manolo Sanchez (James Thomas) 22’
NY: Marius Obekop 29’
Discipline Summary
WIL: Corben Bone, Caution 62’
WIL: Aaron Wheeler, Caution 89’
Lineups
NY: Santiago Castano, Shawn McLaws, Karl Ouimette, Konrad Plewa, James Thomas, Speedy Williams, Tyler Adams (Bolu Akinyode, 46’), Leo Stolz, Manolo Sanchez (Chris Tsonis, 57’), Stefano Bonomo (Danny Bedoya, 85’), Marius Obekop (Brian Saramago, 65’)
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Mike Da Fonte, Victor Manosalvas
WIL: Andre Rawls, Troy Cole (Zeb Taublieb, 38’), Tom Parratt (Justin Moose, 53’), Fran Martinez, Andrae Campbell, Brian Ackley, Paul Nicholson, Sunny Jane (Kyle Gurrieri, 70’), Stefan Defregger, Will Heaney (Corben Bone, 37’), Qudus Lawal (Aaron Wheeler, 46’)
Subs not used: Larry Jackson, Ross Tomaselli
