CHARLESTON, S.C. – The New York Red Bulls II rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against the Charleston Battery as Roald Mitchell scored the equalizer on Sunday afternoon at Patriots Point.

Looking for their first win of the campaign, the hosts made a fast start as Stavros Zarokostas put his side ahead in just the third minute. Zarokostas capitalized as Red Bulls II goalkeeper AJ Marcucci took too long to move the ball with his feet in his own penalty area and stole possession before finishing into an empty net.

Charleston’s Burke Fahling also went close after a quarter-of-an-hour with a volleyed finish from the edge of the penalty that flashed over the crossbar after a corner kick had been headed clear, while the Red Bulls II almost answered two minutes later as Mitchell got in behind the Battery backline only to be closed down well by goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky.

Marcucci came up with a bit save to keep the Red Bulls II within a goal in the 23rd minute to deny Robbie Crawford from close range, but a minute later the Battery doubled their lead as Erik McCue scored his first goal for the club. A corner kick from the right by Zeiko Lewis sailed over everyone in the six-yard area, was controlled by the center back who tapped home from a tight angle.

The Red Bulls II went close to pulling a goal back through Mitchell again two minutes before halftime as he was played into space in the left side of the penalty area only for Kuzminsky to again get off his line quickly to close him down. Mandela Egbo also went close on a free kick that deflected wide of the left post in stoppage time, but Charleston took its two-goal advantage to the break.

Zeiko Lewis almost added to the Battery’s lead on the hour-mark as a cross from the left by xxxxx found xxxx for a cushioned header back across goal that found Lewis as he broke int o the penalty area, only for his effort to go wide of the target. Moments later, though, the Red Bulls II were awarded a penalty kick as Mitchell was brought down in the penalty area, allowing Egbo to halve the deficit with a low shot to the left corner from the spot.

The Red Bulls II then leveled in the 65th minute as Mitchell finally found his own breakthrough. Taking possession 30 yards from goal, the 18-year-old turned and burst past the defense before finding a low finish to the right corner of the net for his first professional goal.

Mitchell almost added his second of the game as he got in behind the Battery back line on a counterattack only for Kuzminsky to come up with the save as he came off his line. Kuzminsky then came up with another big save as Egbo headed down to the left corner off a corner from the right with six minutes to go to keep the game level. New York’s Austin Brummett then sent a finish wide of the left post in the final minute, while Charleston’s Nicque Daley fired into the right side-netting deep in stoppage time, but honors ended even and the points were shared.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Roald Mitchell, New York Red Bulls II – Making his first start in the pro ranks, Mitchell drew a penalty kick before scoring the equalizer for the visitors as he finished with six shots overall and 11 duels won.

Scoring Summary
CHS – Stavros Zarokostas 3’
CHS – Erik McCue 24’
NY – Mandela Egbo (Penalty Kick) 62’
NY – Roald Mitchell (Juan Castillo) 65'

Full Box Score