By Ryan Lovejoy

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (July 12, 2015) – New York Cosmos B team finished the regular season undefeated with a 2-1 win over Greater Lowell United at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Sunday.

Head coach Alecko Eskandarian made eight changes to the lineup that beat Seacoast United Phantoms 7-0 at Mitchel Field on Saturday, with temperatures searing for another 11 a.m. ET kickoff. Jenison Brito and Julian Stahler, two of the three who also started the day before, got the goals in the first half and Lowell pulled one back from the spot with 12 minutes to go.

“The guys worked hard,” said Eskandarian. “The quality wasn't there today which was a bit frustrating, for the coaches but also for the guys that were out there. I know those guys wanted to show well and, for whatever reason, it just wasn't on today. Credit to the guys for working hard to get the result, but if we're all honest with ourselves, we know it has to be better going forward."

With the win Cosmos B finished their inaugural NPSL regular season 11-1-0 (WDL) in the North Atlantic Conference. Having already locked up their division last weekend, they were presented with the conference championship trophy on Saturday by NPSL chairman Joe Barone.

“It's a huge accomplishment to finish the regular season undefeated because I really do think we have one of the strongest conferences in the country," Eskandarian said. "There are a lot of quality teams in our conference so it wasn't an easy thing to do. Credit to our guys and also credit to Lowell for being a team that hasn't won all year but still working their butts off for over 90 minutes today and making it very difficult for us.”

There weren't any clear-cut opportunities in the game on Sunday until the Cosmos went ahead in the 28^th minute, when Carl Oscar-Andersson fed Jenison, who went around goalkeeper Sam Manning before slotting in. Andersson then set up Ibrahim Diaby and Manning saved, but the stopper could do nothing about the Cosmos' second goal on the half-hour mark. Nick Costa sent Stahler away and his precise shot went in off the far post.

Andersson had a chance for a goal of his own in the 34^th minute, but headed over the top, and two minutes later Diaby was well placed only for Manning to deny him. Into the second half, Jenison got his head on a corner after 58 minutes but it went over. Lowell had their first attempt in the 63^rd minute, John Dumbuya's shot flying wide.

The visitors had replaced their goalkeeper at the interval, and Jake Davis was called into action in the 71^st minute, saving from fellow substitute Travis Pittman. The Cosmos midfielder got closer five minutes later, with a cracking effort that rattled the bar.

At the other end almost immediately, Keasel Broome was forced into his first save of the day, from Karl Gauntlett who had got free of the defense. The warning signs were there for Cosmos and they conceded their first goal in five games after 78 minutes. A penalty was awarded for a handball by Andersson and Doug Searl struck it low past Broome.

Miguel Herlein, scorer of four goals on Saturday, uncharacteristically missed the target with a gilt-edged opportunity at 83 minutes, 12 minutes after coming on. Pittman continued to threaten the goal even into added time, but Davis pulled off another fine save.

Cosmos B's unbeaten finish to regular season play gives them great confidence going into the playoffs. They have a bye straight into the NPSL Regional Semifinals, which will be on Wednesday, July 22 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium. Their opponent has yet to be determined.

STATISTICS