HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (June 8, 2016) – Defending National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Champions New York Cosmos B were handed their second defeat this season, losing 3-2 against Boston City FC at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Long Island Wednesday evening.

The Cosmos reserves (7-1-2, 22 points) were coming off back-to-back weekend wins on the road against Greater Lowell United FC and the Seacoast United Mariners.

“I think we really felt the rigors of a third game in five days. You could see it in our legs,” said Cosmos B Head Coach Fernando Barboto. “We weren’t as sharp as we were in other games. We put ourselves in a bad spot in the first half.”

Possession went back and forth for the first fifteen minutes of the match until Boston City’s Johnata Batista capitalized on a slip from Cosmos B goalkeeper Kevin Tenjo, knocking home the opening marker before Tenjo could recover.

Cosmos B created chances to equalize within the next 20 minutes, earning multiple corners and free kick opportunities. But the Boston City defense was up to the challenge, and the visitors held onto their lead.

The first half was also defined by cautions, as three yellow cards were issued to each Boston City FC and Cosmos B.

“[Calls like these] tend to happen, but I’m glad both teams came off with zero red cards,” Barboto said.

In the 35^th minute, Boston’s Batista mishandled a pass that could have seen him complete his brace. However, he was able to recover and assist John Bustamante to make it 2-0.

New York would answer in first-half stoppage time as midfielder Franklin Castellanos put in a cross to find forward Ivan Berterame, cutting Boston City’s lead to 2-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Boston City FC (4-1-3, 13 points) made an important substitution as forward Yaw Addow came on. He was deemed offside twice on promising attacks, but his third run into Cosmos B territory yielded results. Addow fought through defenders and put in a cross to Homero Morais, who netted to make it 3-1 in the 68^th minute.

New York looked to fight back. Coach Barboto made numerous tactical changes to put some fresh legs on the pitch and formulate attacking chances.

“We needed to try to get more depth in our attack,” he said.  We looked to get in behind. I thought we created those chances. We just didn’t score [in time].”

Cosmos B’s second goal of the match came from substitute Trey Williams seconds before the full time whistle, making the final score 3-2 in favor of Boston. The result snapped a six-match undefeated streak for Cosmos B.

“I think we’re going to rebound real well,” said Barboto. “We’ll battle back.”

Still on top of the NPSL’s Northeast Atlantic Conference, next for Cosmos B is a matchup with the Brooklyn Italians at the LIU Brooklyn Athletic Complex this Sunday, June 12. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.