LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fifth-seeded Red Bull II dug itself a two-goal hole in the opening half against No. 2 Louisville City FC and it was too deep to climb out of as it was eliminated from the USL Playoffs via a 5-1 drubbing at Slugger Field Friday night.

After NYRB II pulled within 2-1 on Tom Barlow’s goal on the hour, rhe hosts broke own the game with three goals within an eight-minute span late in the Eastern Conference semifinal match.

Devon Williams led Louisville with two goals and Brian Ownby added a goal and two assists against goalkeeper Evan Louro.

Ilija Ilic converted a penalty kick in the 23rd minute and Luke Spencer, off an Ownby assist, doubled the lead nine minutes later.

Tom Barlow connected in the 60th minute for New York before Louisville rolled to victory.

This was the first time NYRB II lost in regulation in the playoffs since 2015, against the Rochester Rhinos.

Head Coach John Wolyniec dropped to 9-2-1 all time in his playoff coaching career with NYRB II.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.