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Baltimore's Scoreless Streak Stretches to Four Games

September 3, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Cary, NC - The Carolina RailHawks picked up their first win against Crystal Palace Baltimore this season, as three second-half goals propelled the hosts to a 3-0 victory at WakeMed Soccer Park Friday night. Daniel Paladini opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a curling shot that beat Baltimore's Evan Bush. Allan Russell converted a penalty in the 75th minute, while Tom Heinemann, in his debut with the RailHawks, notched a goal in the 89th.

The home side dominated the first 25 minutes of play with plenty of scoring chances. An early attempt by Daniel Paladini four minutes into the match sailed just over the crossbar of Baltimore goalkeeper Evan Bush. In the 8th, a corner kick from Kupono Low was headed down inside the box, but the Palace defense was able to clear the danger. On 20 minutes, Paladini tried his luck again from 30 yards out, but his effort sailed right into the hands of Bush.

In the next five minutes, Carolina proceeded to give Baltimore a scare, with no less than four quality opportunities at goal. A loose ball inside the box was fired towards the Baltimore net, but a Palace defender managed to clear the ball off the goal line. That was quickly followed up by some crafty movement by Etienne Barbara, who snaked past three Palace defenders before he was dispossessed by a sliding tackle. Barbara was involved again after a cross from Allan Russell found the forward's head, but his effort was cleared away for a corner by Val Teixeira. The last gasp during the RailHawks barrage was provided by Paladini, but his bouncing shot from just inside the 18-yard box was clutched by Bush.

Baltimore was finally able to create some chances of their own during the latter part of the first half. On 27 minutes, Mathew Mbuta found space near the top of the box, but his shot curved wide right. At the half-hour mark, Adrian Bumbut chased down a loose ball near the end line, but he could only direct a shot across the face of goal. One minute later, Dan Lader blasted a low laser from 25 yards away, but the ball missed the far post by mere inches. Arguably the best opportunity of the match for Baltimore came with six minutes remaining in the half, as Mbuta won possession after a Carolina turnover deep in their own end. Mbuta made a nice move around Daniel Woolard, leaving him one-on-one with RailHawks netminder Nick Platter. As he closed in on goal, Mbuta fired a powerful shot, but the ball missed to the right of the target.

Carolina broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, as a nice backheel pass found Paladini, who curved his shot from 20 yards into the top-left corner of the net, giving the RailHawks a 1-0 advantage. Allan Russell should have doubled the lead on 59 minutes, as he smashed a shot from the top of the arc. A great diving stop by Evan Bush kept the home side from grasping a 2-0 lead. Baltimore nearly leveled the score in the 63rd minute, as Santiago Fusilier streaked down the right side of the pitch. However, his close-range strike could only find the side netting of Platter's goal.

The second goal would ultimately come in the 75th minute, after a Carolina player was pushed down inside the box. A penalty was awarded, and Russell slotted home his second goal of the season to double the RailHawks' advantage. The icing on the cake would be provided in the penultimate minute of play, as Tom Heinemann, making his debut with the RailHawks, scored to wrap up the three points for the home side.

Carolina (10-8-7) moves to within three points of Vancouver for the NASL Conference lead with the victory. Baltimore's record falls to 6-14-6; the team has now been held scoreless in four consecutive games, allowing a total of 13 goals during that span. Baltimore kicks off their last homestand of the season on Saturday, September 11th, when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 3, 2010


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