Jared Stroud scored his 15th goal this season. (Photo courtesy of Red Bull II)
LEESBURG, Va. — Red Bull II will enter the USL Championship playoffs on a down note, a real down note.
The visitors allowed five first-half goals as Loudoun United FC cruised to a stunning 7-3 triumph at Segra Field Saturday night.
Loudoun United enjoyed a 2-0 advantage by the 13th minute. Alioune Ndour connected off a Kyle Murphy feed in the fifth minute and Antonio Bustamante, off an Alioune Ndour, doubled the lead in the 13th minute.
Three minutes later, Red Bull II (17-11-6, 57 points) sliced the margin in half as Jared Stroud scored unassisted. It was his 15th goal this season, tying the club season goal-scoring record held by former NYRBII forward Brandon Allen in 2016.
After that, the hosts rattled off three consecutive goals to take a commanding 5-1 halftime lead.
Murphy converted a penalty kick in the 33rd minute and added his second only three minutes later off a Shane Wiedt assist. Then Gordon Wild scored unassisted in the 42nd minute to close out the half.
Loudoun United picked up where it left off only a minute into the second half as Elvis Amoh connected for an unassisted goal for a 6-1.
Mathias Jorgensen, off a Janos Loebe assist (his seventh this season), tallied Red Bull II’s second goal in the 65th minute before Wild closed out the scoring for the host side in the 72nd minute.
NYRBII’s Omar Sowe finished the game with a goal in the 90th minute.
Red Bull II will await its quarterfinal matchup, which is scheduled for Oct. 25 or Oct 26.