NASL North Carolina FC

Barbara Bags Two More as RailHawks Bury Puerto Rico, 3-0

Published on May 21, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Forward Etienne Barbara scored two goals to extend his scoring streak to eight matches, and the RailHawks dealt Puerto Rico a resounding 3-0 defeat before 3,498 at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

"We knew it was a big game," said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie, who has the club off to its best start in club history (6-1-1, 18 points). "A lot of people were questioning us after the first game we lost this season. Puerto Rico are a very strong team and are always going to be one of our biggest rivals. We had to work really hard for it. We took our chances ... I was really pleased with that. And getting a clean sheet was a big, big thing for us."

Barbara scored goals in the 26th and 53rd minutes, upping his season total to 11. It was his second straight two-goal game and third of the year. He also assisted on Pablo Campos' 67th-minute goal, giving him a staggering 25 points in just eight games.

"I have to thank all my teammates, and my coach for preparing me," Barbara said. "As long as the team keeps playing like this and creating chances, I'm going to keep scoring."

While Barbara has given the RailHawks a scoring threat the likes of which they've never seen, Rennie noted that isn't his only contribution to the team.

"The biggest thing is he's scoring goals," Rennie said. "The second biggest thing is he's working for the team. That's different from how he was last season. He's really working for the team and setting an example. And that means the whole team has to work. If the guy who's scoring goals is working, that means everybody else follows. And I'm really pleased about that."

The RailHawks exacted a measure of revenge on the Islanders (3-0-2), who dealt Carolina its only defeat of the season in the April 9 season opener. Saturday was a demonstration in how far the RailHawks have come since.

The defense of goalkeeper Brad Knighton, and defenders Kupono Low, Brad Rusin, John Krause and Devon McKenney held the Islanders to eight shots, four on goal. Knighton made four saves to earn the group's second shutout of the season.

And Barbara and Campos continued baffling defenses. The two have combined to score 15 of the RailHawks' 18 goals this season. On Saturday, they assisted on each others' goals.

Barbara opened the scoring in the 26th minute, redirecting a pass from Jonny Steele into the back of the net.

"I just went in the box," Barbara said. "The ball was a bit long for me. I had to reach to get it. The first touch, the keeper went to close the post, I just touched the ball past him."

In the 53rd, Campos played a brilliant ball into space for Barbara, who got behind the Puerto Rico defense and buried the chance for his second of the night.

In the 67th minute, Barbara returned the favor. He played a perfectly weighted pass into space. Campos raced onto it, carried it into the area and then tucked in his fourth goal of the season.

"As you can see, I can do both," said Barbara, who leads the league in goals (11) and is tied for the lead in assists with teammate Floyd Franks (three). "I haven't thought about being an assist man. I just want to score goals. But if it's part of the package, I'll take them both."

While the team is performing at a high level - the RailHawks have won four straight on their seven-match unbeaten run - and is now six points clear at the top of the NASL table, don't look for a letdown next week, when the Railhawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday and play host to last-place Atlanta.

"It's a new game," said captain Brad Rusin. "We've got to put forth the same effort. We won't dwell on this one. We'll put it another good week of practice and prepare for the next one."

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from May 21, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central