NASL North Carolina FC

D.J. Mason Signs Amateur Contract with the RailHawks

Published on May 15, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC (May 15, 2015) - The Carolina RailHawks strengthened their roster on Friday by signing Capital Area RailHawks Academy defender D.J. Mason to an amateur contract. Mason will be available for selection for the remainder of the 2015 Spring Season.

Local player development and rewarding talented home-grown players has been a common theme for the RailHawks. Matthew Gianfortone was signed two weeks ago from the U-18 Academy Team, and Mason is following in his footsteps as the RailHawks work on developing local talent.

"Mason is another young and talented player from our Academy that we decided to add to the roster," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "We will continue to add players that can grow with the team. Mason has a great attitude, is willing to learn and I am sure he has a bright future."

The Morrisville, N.C. native is a product of the Capital Area RailHawks U-18 Academy Team and plays as a right back. Last February, Mason played for the U-18 US Men's National Team in the 2015 Copa Chivas Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mason started and played in one game of the tournament where he recorded 70 minutes.

The Capital Area RailHawks Academy is a collaboration between the Capital Area Soccer League and the RailHawks for U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams in the U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups and is designed to attract the highest caliber players and coaches possible, regardless of their previous club affiliations.

Mason is the fifth U-17/18 Academy player to join the first team, after Dre Fortune, Matthew Gianfortone, Evan Krause and Conor Donovan. They have been identified as players deserving of the opportunity to train and play with the RailHawks professional squad and be exposed to a professional training and playing environment.

Academy players are eligible to train and play with professional soccer players prior to their enrollment in college and keep their NCAA eligibility. Mason has committed to join UNC-Chapel Hill Men's Soccer program next fall.

The RailHawks roster is now comprised of 26 players: two goalkeepers (Hunter Gilstrap, Brian Sylvestre, and Matt Perrella), eight defenders (Connor Tobin, Daniel Scott, Austen King, Kupono Low, Mamadou Danso, Wes Knight, Blake Wagner, and DJ Mason), ten midfielders (Nazmi Albadawi, Tiyi Shipalane, Leo Osaki, Neil Hlavaty, Mark Anderson, Austin Da Luz, Chris Nurse, Jack Coleman, Jamie Dell and Matthew Gianfortone) and five forwards (Nacho Novo, Simone Bracalello, Wells Thompson, Mamadee Nyepon, and Bradlee Baladez).

The Carolina RailHawks will continue the 2015 Spring Season with the addition of Mason and will play their next home match against New York Cosmos on Saturday, May 16th at 7:30pm. The full RailHawks home schedule can be viewed here.

To purchase Individual Game Tickets or Ticket Packages, visit CarolinaRailHawks.com or call the Johnson Maserati Box Office at 919-459-8144.

For more information on Season Tickets, visit CarolinaRailHawks.com/STH. Flex plans are available for as low as $55. Keep up with all RailHawks news by following them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 15, 2015


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