USL-1 North Carolina FC

Historic Weekend For Carolina RailHawks Men's And Women's Soccer Teams

Published on May 9, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC - Triangle Professional Sports, LLC, the owners of the Carolina RailHawks men's soccer team and the brand new Carolina RailHawks women's soccer team, put both teams on center stage Saturday night. The undefeated Carolina RailHawks men's professional team (2-0-1) host the Atlanta Silverbacks (1-1-1) Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park in the first Southern Derby Cup match of the season while the RailHawks women's team makes their W-League debut Saturday at 5:30 PM against the Carolina Dynamo at Bryan Park Macpherson Stadium, just outside of Greensboro, NC.

"Make no mistake, this is a big day for our franchise," said Chris Economides, the president and general manager of the Carolina RailHawks and partner with Triangle Professional Sports, LLC. "Our men's team is off to an undefeated start in three games and we're back at WakeMed Soccer Park where we've been drawing more than 5,000 fans per game and our brand new women's team, under the direction of head coach Jay Howell, debuts in what is another pinnacle moment for our organization. We have taken our time and done everything right with this franchise and we believe there is a market here for men's and women's soccer, especially with the quality of players we have on both teams and the experience we deliver here at WakeMed Soccer Park."

It will be Mother's Day night at WakeMed Soccer Park for Saturday night's men's game against Atlanta and the first 3,000 fans will receive a magnet schedule courtesy of KBS Accounting Firm, an official accountant of the Carolina RailHawks. Doors open at 6:00 PM and tickets ($10, $15 and $20) are still available by calling the LGFCU Box Office at 919-859-5425.

The RailHawks are looking to build momentum after two straight 1-0 wins, the latest of which was last Sunday against Miami FC at Tropical Park Stadium with a late game winner by former Silverback Dan Antoniuk. Midfielder Matt Watson, fresh off his MISL Indoor Championship with the Baltimore Blast, is expected to make his WakeMed Soccer Park debut and join Kupono Low in the midfield. The RailHawks tied the Silverbacks 1-1 in Atlanta in what was the team's opening game on April 19.

"Atlanta is a team we've already seen this season," said RailHawks Head Coach Scott Schweitzer. "All their players are in now and it will be a better squad than the first game of the season. We will have to declare dominance at home, play for our fans and sponsors and make sure we keep a true home field advantage every game this season."

The Carolina RailHawks Women Team, who will make their WakeMed Soccer Park debut the following Friday, May 16th at 7:30 PM against the Atlanta Silverbacks, feature plenty of local talent including UNC goalkeeper Anna Rodenbough, defender Betsy Frederick and current US National Team U-20 Forward Casey Nogueira. Also on the RailHawks Women inaugural roster, Thori Bryan, an NC State alumna, who was a member of the 1995 US Women's National Team that placed third at the World Cup in Sweden and has enjoyed an extensive professional career with the San Jose Cyber Rays of WUSA and the Raleigh Wings of the W-League.

"Our first training sessions demonstrate we are putting together an entertaining team," said RailHawks Women Head Coach Jay Howell. "We will be fun to watch. The quality of the players on the roster will allow us to be a very aggressive, attacking team. We look forward to seeing our fans at the home opener on May 16th."

For tickets to tomorrow's men's game or the women's home opener on May 16, 2008, please visit www.carolinarailhawks.com of call the LGFCU Box Office at 919-859-KICK (919-859-5425).

Notes:

Schedule of Events

Doors open at 6:00 PM

First 3,000 fans receive a schedule magnet courtesy of KBS Accounting Firm

Pregame meet and greet with some of the RailHawks in the Tecate Fan Zone on the West Concourse

Inflatables and Rock Climbing wall for the kids on the East Concourse

Kids human tunnel to greet the starting lineup (meet at 7:00 PM at the Northwest corner of the field)

Kickoff at 7:30 PM

Head to Head

The RailHawks overall record against the Silverbacks is 1-1-3. The two teams met four times last year each winning one contest and tying the last two. They battled to a 1-1 tie at the beginning of this season with goals by Steven Curfman for the RailHawks and Jerson Monteiro for the Silverbacks

Southern Derby

The Carolina RailHawks are the current holders of the Southern Derby Cup. A tournament organized by southern state fans to help promote the soccer in the south. The tournament takes into account the scores of the last home and away matches between the teams who participate in it, Atlanta, Charleston and the RailHawks. This is the first match valid for the Southern Derby Cup standings

Carolina RailHawks Women Debut

The Carolina RailHawks Women will make their WakeMed Soccer Park debut on Friday, May 16th against the Atlanta Silverbacks W-League side. It will be the return of competitive soccer to the triangle since the Carolina Courage folded with WUSA in 2003.

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