MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls II got a goal and assist from Cameron Harper and another key penalty kick save by AJ Marcucci as they took a 3-0 victory against Loudoun United FC in their home finale this season at MSU Soccer Park on Wednesday night.

The Red Bulls II had a pair of early chances including a corner kick from the right by Daniel Edelman that was met at the near post by a header from Omar Sowe but cleared off the line by Loudoun’s Houssou Landry to keep the game scoreless. The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute, however, as Juan Castillo broke forward from the back line and delivered a cross into the penalty area off which Luther Archimede produced a looping volley that found the back of the net.

Loudoun was handed the chance to level eight minutes before halftime when Ted Ku-DiPietro was brought down in the penalty area by Castillo, but the young attacking midfielder was unable to beat Marcucci from the spot as his low shot to the left corner was saved. The rebound hopped up to Jackson Hopkins, who headed off the crossbar before the New York defense was able to clear as Marcucci registered his third penalty kick save of the season.

The Red Bulls II were then awarded a penalty kick of their own two minutes into the second half as Mandela Egbo was brought down as he cut into the right side of the box. Harper stepped up to the spot and shot into the left corner of the net as the goalkeeper went the opposite way to put the hosts two goals the good.

The visitors created an opportunity to pull a goal back immediately as Jovanny Bolivar played a give-and-go with Darluis Paz before taking a shot from a narrow angle in the left side of the penalty area that Marcucci got down to save. The Red Bulls II shot-stopper was sharp again a few minutes later as a cross from the left off a short corner came through to Landry, whose first-time effort to the right corner was denied.

Instead, the hosts immediately went the other way and added their third goal of the night as Egbo broke into space in the left channel onto a ball forward by Harper before moving into the penalty area, cut back past a defender onto his right foot and lifted a finish into the far side of the net.

Loudoun again had a chance to pull a goal back as a good ball forward by Timmy Mehl sent Ku-DiPietro forward in the right channel but his shot from 12 yards hit the crossbar and caromed away to safety, but from there the visitors’ chances were limited as New York closed out the game to end its home slate on a high note.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Cameron Harper, New York Red Bulls II – Harper recorded a goal and assist to lead the hosts to victory and had two shots and three key passes overall while completing 4 of 6 dribbles and making seven recoveries.

Scoring Summary
NY – Luther Archimede (Juan Castillo) 19’
NY – Cameron Harper (Penalty Kick) 47’
NY – Mandela Egbo (Cameron Harper) 57’

Full Box Score