HANOVER, N.J. (June 8, 2016) – The New York Red Bulls came out with a 1-0 victory Wednesday night against the Ocean City Nor’easters.
The Red Bulls controlled the opening 45 minutes, but could not put one past Ocean City goalkeeper Andrew Garcia.
New York’s best chance in the first half came in the 12th minute when combination play at the top of the box led to midfielder Christopher Lema having an open opportunity on goal. Garcia made a sprawling save to his right to keep the game scoreless. Both keepers had their backlines very organized in the opening half, which ended 0-0.
The pace would immediately pick up from the start of the second half. Bradley Beach native, Sevag Kherlopian would give the Red Bulls U-23s the lead in the 48th minute. Right winger, Florian Valot drove to the end line and cut the ball back to then find the feet of Kherlopian. Kherlopian took his first touch away from the defender while shielding the ball and finished it with his left foot for this third goal of the season.
The latter stages of the game would provide a much more physical contest and would see Ocean City’s Chevaugh Walsh and Daniel Nimmo exit the game due to injury. Red Bulls’ Thomas De Villardi would also leave the game with an injury just minutes after entering the game.
New York would grab their first clean sheet of the season with Eric Klenofsky making three very important saves. The back line of Marcelo Borges, Thibault Philippe, Kevin Politz and Anderson Asiedu were outstanding all game long, clearing crosses and blocking shots when needed.
The Red Bulls U-23s return to action on Saturday, June 11, when they travel to Elizabeth, N.J. to face Jersey Express for the second time this season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and will be played at Elizabeth High School.
Goal Summary (Assists in parenthesis):
- NY: Sevag Kherlopian (Florian Valot) 48’
Lineups:
NY: Eric Klenofsky, Marcelo Borges, Thibault Philippe, Kevin Politz, Anderson Asiedu, Arun Basuljevic (Nicholas Melo, 58’), Steven Echevarria, Christopher Lema (Thomas De Villardi, 58’), Florian Valot, Juan Sanchez (Christopher Flores 71’), Sevag Kherlopian (Ethan Lochner, 79’)
Ocean City: Andrew Garcia, Daniel Nimmo (Tim Ogunniyi, 90’), Cristobal Allendas, Fraser Colmer, Bryce Cregan, Pena Obradovic (Emil Cuello, 65’), Kyle Thomson, Martin Galvao, Miguel Jamie, Chevaugn Walsh (Jose Velzaga, 60’) Nathan Reglis
