HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls II extended their unbeaten streak to eight games as they defeated Wilmington Hammerheads FC 3-0 on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. Four different players tallied a goal as Brandon Allen notched his fifth goal of the season in the opening half. Then it was Aaron Long, Stefano Bonomo and Junior Flemmings who scored in succession over a 10-minute span in the second half. New York improves to 9-1-4 (31 points) overall as it sits in second place behind Louisville City FC (35 points). The Red Bulls II are now 6-0-2 in their past eight games and 4-1-3 at home. Wilmington saw its four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) come to a close. Wilmington moves to 4-5-5 (17 points) and 2-3-2 on the road. Hammerheads defender Tom Parratt picked up a second yellow card in the 90th minute and was subsequently sent off. New York posted its league-leading ninth shutout of the season as the club has posted the lowest number of goals conceded this year with just eight.

Scoring:
20’ – NY – Brandon Allen (Derrick Etienne Jr.)
77’ – NY – Aaron Long (Florian Valot)
85’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (penalty)
87’ – NY – Junior Flemmings (Dan Metzger)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Derrick Etienne Jr. has stepped up on a number of occasions during the 2016 season, and his comfort and creativity were showcased Sunday with a cheeky back heel assist to Brandon Allen in the 20th minute. Etienne’s dish split two Hammerheads players and then Allen took a touch to his left to elude Wilmington goalkeeper John Smits and then fired on frame for a 1-0 lead. Etienne almost got on the score sheet as well in the 53rd minute, but Bruno Perone made a vital tackle at the edge of the six to prevent NYRBII from creating some distance. 

• 2. Second-half sub and new signing Florian Valot made his presence known with his first USL assist. The 23-year-old’s free kick from the right side in the 77th minute connected with Aaron Long, who headed home his second goal of the season from eight yards out to give the host side a two-goal cushion. New York put the match well out of reach from then on, with Stefano Bonomo’s PK and then Junior Flemmings slotting his shot in from the right side on a difficult angle.

• 3. The New York Red Bulls loaned 32-year-old Frenchman Damien Perrinelle to NYRBII on Sunday. The former Boulogne defender started and played the opening 34 minutes for John Wolyniec’s side as he continues to work his way back from an ACL injury he sustained during the 2015 MLS Playoffs. He was replaced by Tim Schmoll at center back in the 35th minute.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Ryan Meara, New York Red Bulls II - While Wilmington didn't create too much havoc, Meara was there when he needed to be with three saves and his sixth clean sheet of the season.

Upcoming Games:
New York Red Bulls II vs. Rochester Rhinos – July 2, 4 p.m. ET, Red Bull Arena
Wilmington Hammerheads FC vs. Toronto FC II – July 2, 7 p.m. ET, Legion Stadium