HARRISON, N.J. (May 9, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II succumbed to a last minute goal against Harrisburg City Islanders, falling at home 2-1. Andrew Jean-Baptiste opened the scoring in the 9th minute when he buried his chance in the top corner. Harrisburg responded in the 23rd minute from Jimmy McLaughlin and won the game in the 91st minute on a goal from Jose Barril. Leo Stolz was ejected in the 86th minute after receiving two yellow cards and will miss the next match for NYRB II.
The teams were off to the races from the sound of the first whistle. End-to-end play ensued and Red Bulls II struck first in the 9th minute. A corner swung in by Stolz was headed down in the box and reached Chris Tsonis. The forward took a touch which reached Jean-Baptiste who blasted his shot into the upper right-hand corner to give Red Bulls II the early 1-0 lead.
Red Bulls II continued to create scoring chances after the goal. In the 20th minute, NYRB II nearly grabbed a second goal when a Dan Metzger takeaway turned into a quick counter-attack. Derrick Etienne received the ball from Metzger. Etienne returned the pass to the U.S. U-23 international who played in Tsonis. In a one-on-one with goalkeeper Nick Noble, Tsonis’ shot was saved and the dangerous transition was put to an end.
Moments later, Harrisburg City responded with the equalizer. Enric Valles launched a long aerial pass from just inside the New York half of the field and found McLaughlin in-behind the Red Bulls II defense. The Islanders forward took a touch with his foot and appeared to have settled the ball with his hand, but no whistle was blown and he slotted away his chance into the lower left corner to even the match at 1-1.
In the second half, Manolo Sanchez nearly grabbed his second goal of the season when he received a pass in space from Tsonis in the 52nd minute. Sanchez, alone near the penalty spot, struck a low shot but Noble made the save with his leg. The ball deflected out of the area to Metzger, but his shot went directly to Noble.
McLaughlin was inches away from grabbing a brace in the 56th minute when he found himself in a foot race with Stolz for a bouncing ball. Santiago Castano charged to confront the attacker, but McLaughlin touched the ball over his head. The shot deflected off of the post, inches away from bouncing in. Soon afterwards, Stolz picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Yann Ekray.
McLaughlin again threatened to score in the 68th minute, but an impressive diving save from Castano kept the ball out of the net.
Three minutes short of the full 90, Stolz received a second yellow card and an ejection in the 86th minute for a dangerous play.
Harrisburg took full advantage of the handicapped NYRB II, finding the go-ahead goal in the 91st minute. A cross from Enric Valles swung into the box found Barril just outside the six-yard box who headed in the game-winning goal.
With the loss, New York Red Bulls II drop to 2-4-2.
Scoring Summary
- NY: Andrew Jean-Baptiste 9’
- HCI: Jimmy McLaughlin 23’
- HCI: Jose Barril 91’
Discipline Summary
- HCI: Neil Shaffer, Caution 43’
- NY: Leo Stolz, Caution 65’
- NY: Leo Stolz, Ejection 86’
- HCI: Brett Jankouskas, Caution 93’
Lineups
NY: Santiago Castano, Shawn McLaws, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Mike Da Fonte (Konrad Plewa, 84’), Anthony Wallace, Dan Metzger, Leo Stolz, Marius Obekop (Daniel Bedoya, 61’) , Manolo Sanchez, Chris Tsonis (Chris Tsonis, 61’) , Derrick Etienne (Franklin Castellanos, 74’)
Unused Subs: Rafael Diaz, James Thomas, Bolu Akinyode
HCI: Nick Noble, Neil Shaffer, Shane Johnson, Dante Leversrock, Ken Tribbett, Yann Ekray, Jose Barill (Brett Jankouskas, 90’) , Enric Valles (Erick Cruz, 92’) , Jason Plumhoff (Cordel Benbow, 63’) , Jimmy McLaughlin (Raymond Lee, 93’) , Danny DiPrimo (Dzenan Catic, 69’)
Unused Subs: Kyle Renfro, Garret Pettis
