WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 13, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II earned its first road win of the season on a hot evening at Legion Stadium against Wilmington Hammerheads, 1-0. Chris Tsonis scored his second goal of the season in the 72nd minute to capture all three points for Red Bulls II.
With the victory, NYRB II improves to 4-5-4 on the season.
The opening 25 minutes of the match featured mostly box-to-box play until the 27th minute. Wilmington’s Justin Moose fed in Andrae Campbell who smashed his chance off of the crossbar, inches from taking an early lead. Red Bulls II immediately countered and Derrick Etienne provided a through ball to Alex Clay, alone behind the defense. Clay, sprinting down the right flank, struck his shot wide left of the net.
With temperatures in Wilmington exceeding 90 degrees, both teams rested for a water break in the 30th minute. Another water break would be taken in the second half.
Feeling recharged, Etienne forced a takeaway in the 36th minute and struck a low shot just wide of goal. Minutes before halftime, the Red Bulls Under-18 captain worked in space on the left side. Etienne confidently ran at his defender, put the ball on his right foot and curled a shot from 20-yards just wide.
In the second half, Tsonis nearly opened the scoring when he received a pass in space at the penalty spot, but his shot was saved in a diving effort by goalkeeper Larry Jackson. Despite the missed chance, Tsonis would earn another opportunity, and take it.
NYRB II broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. The sequence began when Etienne beat his man and made a darting run towards the end line. The midfielder spotted Tsonis making a central run, hit a low, driven cross and Tsonis tapped in from close range.
Drama ensued in the late stages of the match as Wilmington pressed forward. Hammerheads forward Cody Arnoux had Rafael Diaz beat in stoppage time, but his shot was blocked and cleared from danger.
Red Bulls II nearly earned a second goal when Daniel Bedoya forced a turnover and charged into the final third with only Jackson to beat. As Bedoya entered the penalty box, Jackson tackled Bedoya, earning a straight red card. With all five substitutions used, defender Troy Cole took over for Jackson as goalkeeper. Bedoya took the penalty kick, but his shot pinged off of the post and out of bounds.
Moments later, the final whistle blew and Red Bulls II earned its fourth victory of the season.
Scoring Summary
- NY: Chris Tsonis (Derrick Etienne) 72’
- Discipline Summary
- WIL: Cody Arnoux, Caution 80’
- WIL: Brian Anunga, Caution 87’
- NY: Derrick Etienne, Caution 90+’
- WIL: Larry Jackson, Ejection 90+’
Lineups
NY: Rafael Diaz, Jamie Thomas, Konrad Plewa, Mike Da Fonte, Colin Heffron (Mason Deeds, 60’), Dan Metzger, Bolu Akinyode, Daniel Bedoya, Alex Clay (Brian Saramago, 84’), Derrick Etienne, Chris Tsonis
Unused Subs: Wojciech Gajda, Victor Manosalvas
WIL: Larry Jackson, Troy Cole, Tom Parratt (Brian Anunga, 70’), Fran Martinez, Andrae Campbell, Paul Nicholson, Brian Ackley, Sunny Jane (Will Heaney, 89’), Justin Moose (Christian Bassagog, 45’), Corben Bone (Nick Zimmerman, 74’) , Aaron Wheeler (Cody Arnoux, 65’)
Unused Subs: Matt Glaeser, Brian Anunga, Ross Tomaselli
