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North Carolina FC

RailHawks Host Fort Lauderdale in 2014 Home Opener

April 18, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC (April 18, 2014) - The Carolina RailHawks (0W-1T-0L, 1pts) host league rival Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1W-0T-0L, 3pts) on Saturday, April 19th in the 6th Annual Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint Community Shield Match. The RailHawks 2014 Home Opener will kickoff at 7:30pm and be televised on WRAL2 (Time Warner Cable channel 1255), web streamed on ESPN3 and NASLLive.com and broadcast via radio on 99.9HD-3 The Ticket.

With a 16-match home unbeaten streak on the line, the RailHawks will look to striker early and jump ahead of the Strikers. In last Saturday's season opener the RailHawks fell behind with an Indy goal just before halftime. Zack Schilawski pulled the RailHawks level with a goal in the 50th minute on a cross from Tiyi Shipalane.

RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke and the team are ready for the Home Opener. "We are ready to get in front of our home crowd," said Clarke "We take a lot of pride in our 16-match home unbeaten streak and our focus is going to be on extending that. Our fans have been incredible and a big part of our success at WakeMed Soccer Park."

Under head coach Colin Clarke, the RailHawks have opened each of the past three seasons on the road, resulting in draws. In each previous season, Clarke's side returned to WakeMed Soccer Park and registered more points. In 2012, an exciting 4-4 draw with Atlanta left the RailHawks with two points after the first 2 weeks of the season. In 2013, the RailHawks defeated FC Edmonton 2-1 in Week 2 of league action.

Fort Lauderdale opened their 2014 campaign with a 2-0 home victory over expansion side, Ottawa Fury. Rafael Alves scored in the 13th minute and Darnell King capped the victory with a second half goal in the 80th minute.

Tickets for Saturday's Home Opener are available online or by calling the RailHawks box office at (919) 459-8144. Visit www.CarolinaRailHawks for more match information.

Toni Stahl and Franco Figueroa Added to Roster

NASL veteran Toni Stahl and Argetinian midfielder Franco Figueroa have been added to the RailHawks roster and will be eligible for Saturday's Home Opener. Stahl spent the past three season as a member of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, serving as captain in 2013. After a standout career at the University of Connecticut, Stahl was drafted 17th overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union. The 24-year old Figueroa played professionally in Argentina before impressing RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke at the NASL Combine in January 2014. Figueroa has spent most of the preseason with the RailHawks and adds to the club's midfield options.

Who to Watch

RailHawks forward Zack Schilawski showed up to play in Indianapolis with the equalizing goal in the 1-1 draw versus Indy Eleven. The Cary-native and Wake Forest alum will look to join the ranks of RailHawks with scoring streaks with another tally on Saturday night. Fort Lauderdale's Mark Anderson continues to be one of the more prolific players in the NASL. Always dangerous on free kicks and a willingness to unleash a shot from distance, Anderson scored 11 goals in 2012. In the season opener Anderson assisted on Fort Lauderdale's first goal.

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