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USL-1 North Carolina FC

Carolina RailHawks host Charleston Battery on Saturday, September 6

September 5, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC (Friday, September 5, 2008) - The Carolina RailHawks are all set to host the Charleston Battery on Saturday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer park in a match that is also valid for the Southern Derby Cup. The match is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and the first 2,000 fans will receive an exclusive car magnet courtesy of the RailHawks Official Insurance Provider. Tickets for this event are still available at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK (5425), at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.

"This is a huge game for us," said RailHawks head coach Scott Schweitzer. "A win would put us right back in the playoff hunt. It is huge for our fans as we try to win the Southern Derby Cup for the second year in a row and it is huge for the Battery as they try to bounce back from their US Open Cup loss. These end of season matches are that much more important."

The RailHawks are still in the hunt for the seventh and final playoff spot and a win on Saturday would place the team right back in post season contention. Fans can expect to see midfielder Martin Nuñez and forwards Ronald Cerritos and Hamed Diallo battle for the coveted three points.

"It's been a busy period for us," said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. "We are now ready to focus on the remainder of the USL season. The RailHawks are a good side and we will need to be at our best to get a positive result."

The Charleston Battery is coming off a difficult spell with three losses and a tie in the last four matches including a 2-1 loss against DC United in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final last Wednesday night. This will be the second time the two sides meet and the RailHawks lead the series having defeated the Battery in the 2008 WakeMed Soccer Park opener 1-0 last April 26. The RailHawks also lead the overall series between the two teams 4-0-0.

This match is also valid for the Southern Derby Cup, a competition between United Soccer Leagues First Division teams based in the South-Atlantic region of the United States (Atlanta, Charleston and Carolina) created by the fans of the teams involved to promote a friendly competition and rivalry along the clubs involved. The RailHawks won the trophy last year and should they win Saturday night they stand a good chance for a repeat.

The RailHawks continue their quest for the seventh playoff spot on Sunday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. as they host the Rochester Rhinos. Tickets for this and all RailHawks events are still available at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK (5425), at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.

NOTES:

Schedule of Events

Doors open at 6:00 PM

Match presented Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

First 2,000 fans will receive exclusive car magnet courtesy of BCBSNC

Inflatables 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

Southern Derby Cup match

The Southern Derby Cup is a competition between United Soccer Leagues First Division teams based in the South-Atlantic region of the United States (Atlanta, Charleston and Carolina) created by the fans of the teams involved to promote a friendly competition and rivalry along the clubs involved.

Head to Head

The RailHawks are 1-0-0 against the Battery this season. They lead the overall series 4-0-0 having won all three contests in the 2007 season.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics

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