Strikers Lose 4-1 to Carolina RailHawks
April 19, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1-0-1, 3pts) lost 4-1 to the Carolina RailHawks (1-1-0, 4pts) as Carolina's Zack Schilawski and Enzo Martinez each scored two goals to keep the Fort Lauderdale Strikers winless in North Carolina and extend the RailHawks home unbeaten streak to 17 games.
The RailHawks first goal came in the 27th minute when Cesar Elizondo beat the Strikers defenders to get into the box and was pushed down by Chris Nurse for a penalty. Enzo Martinez converted the penalty to give the home team the 1-0 lead.
The Strikers tried to even the score just 2 minutes later as Mark Anderson took a shot that was saved by RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. The save of the match came in the 38th minute by Carolina's Fitzgerald when Anderson took a shot from about 24 yards out, and the keeper made a diving save to his left to keep the Strikers out of the net.
Two minutes later, in the 40th minute Carolina capitalized on a misplayed ball by Strikers defender Justin Chavez and doubled the score on a great shot by Zack Schilawski who beat Nikolov for the 2-0 lead.
After going into the locker room down 2-0, the Strikers came out strong were able to cut Carolina's lead just two minutes into the second half. Chris Nurse found a ball that bounced around inside the box and put it away in the back of the net for what turned out to be the Strikers only goal of the match.
It seemed Fitzgerald was zoned in to Anderson who had his third shot of the night stopped by Carolina's keeper in the 53rd minute after a great shot by the forward caused Fitzgerald to make a diving stop.
The Strikers had a chance to tie the score in the 65th minute when Anderson was given a free kick from just outside the box, but Anderson couldn't capitalize.
The RailHawks regained their two goal lead in the 72nd minute when Martinez received a great ball from Schilawski and beat Oka Nikolov. Just four minutes later, Schilawski all but assured the victory by grabbing his second goal of the night on a great assist from Elizondo, putting the RailHawks up 4-1.
The Strikers next game is Saturday, April 26th at Lockhart Stadium against Indy Eleven. For tickets visit www.strikers.com or call 954-606-0400.
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