By Cosmos News Service

Date: May 16, 2015

Match: New York Cosmos B (2-1-0) vs. Seacoast United Mariners (0-1-2)

Location: University of Southern Maine

Kickoff:  6 p.m. ET

First Half:

Cosmos B started off well knocking the ball around, but were unable to unlock their opponent’s defense early on.  As time progressed, Seacoast gained confidence pressing and getting men behind the ball. The Mariners had a free kick in the 25^th minute, and they finished the set piece by slotting the ball past Cosmos B goalkeeper Keasel Broome. Despite the early 1-0 deficit, Cosmos B kept their composure and went on pushing for an equalizer.

The Mariners added a second goal before the half, extending their lead to 2-0. Cosmos B responded immediately by pushing high and forcing a foul that could have resulted in a penalty kick. Instead the referee awarded an indirect free kick, which defender Hunter Freeman smashed into the back of the net.

End of Half: Mariners 2, Cosmos B 1  

Second Half:

Dane Murphy replaced Gonzalo Rodriguez in the midfield to start the second half, and Cosmos B responded well to being down a goal. The visitors took full control of the play. Early in the half, midfielder Andrew O'Malley played a ball through to Freeman who converted to equalize 2-2.

Cosmos B continued to dictate the pace and create a number of chances. In the 70^th minute New York forward Julian Stahler received a pass from Freeman and scored to give his side a 3-2 advantage. Vincent Mediate and Edmond Addison replaced Marvin Iraheta and Cristhian Hernández respectively, and Cosmos B tried to hold onto the lead in the 83^rd minute.

With time ticking away the Mariners pushed three players up top and threw everything forward. A missed tackle in midfield allowed them to keep possession in the Cosmos B half, where they scored an impressive goal outside the box in the 92^nd minute. The match finished in a 3-3 draw, and each team took a point from the encounter.

Cosmos B Assistant Coach John Fitzgerald: "We're disappointed that we didn't get the result we wanted.  Credit to Seacoast because they played with so much emotion.  But overall we had the better of the play, including our best thirty minutes of soccer thus far in the second half.  Hunter Freeman was the man of the match, involved in all 3 goals, and did a terrific job defensively as well.  We still have a lot to work on, but I'm very pleased that we stuck to our game plan, fought back from being down 2-0 on the road, and still took a point."