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NASL North Carolina FC

Carolina RailHawks Suffer First Loss

April 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC (April 18, 2015) - The Carolina RailHawks (1W-1D-1L, 4 pts.) lost their first game of the season to Atlanta Silverbacks FC (1W-2D-0L, 5 pts.) by a score of 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in front of 4,489 fans.

"We had a great first half but could not take advantage of some of the opportunities we created," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "Atlanta played a very solid defensive game and made things difficult for us in the second half. We will continue to work to improve our game for the upcoming matches."

The RailHawks once again got off to a strong start with a number of early chances that were fueled by energetic play. The Silverbacks responded with an opportunity of their own in the 16th minute when forward Matt Horth sent a dangerous header off of a corner kick that went just wide of the net.

Midfielder Mark Anderson led the RailHawks attack in the first half by playing his best soccer of the season. In the 20th minute, he almost tallied the first score when he cannoned a shot from 20 yards out that clanked the left post. Shortly after, he sent a high long-range header off of a rebound that nearly slipped through Atlanta goalkeeper C.J. Cochran's fingertips.

The scoring got going for Atlanta early in the second half when a loose ball trickled out to Shaka Bangura in the middle of the box. He ripped a shot that found the right side of the net and gave the Silverbacks a 1-0 advantage. In the 68th minute, defender Kyle Miller sent a beautiful long ball right to the feet of Jonathan Okafor who buried it to put Atlanta up 2-0.

However, the RailHawks' pressure did not let up. Their diligence finally paid off in the 82nd minute when Blake Wagner fired from the left to bring it within one after Cochran punched out a crossing attempt. Unfortunately for the home side, it turned out to be too little too late as the Silverbacks held on to preserve the victory.

The RailHawks will travel to Indianapolis for the fourth game of the Spring Season on Saturday, April 25th, to face off with Indy Eleven. The match will be broadcast live on WRAL2.

The RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, May 2nd when they take on rival Tampa Bay Rowdies.

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