Sports stats



USL-1 North Carolina FC

Kabwe named USL-1 Player of the Week; Cunliffe selected to Team of the Week

September 1, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - Carolina RailHawks midfielder Joseph Kabwe was named the USL-1 Player of the Week for Week 21 and midfielder John Cunliffe was named to the Team of the Week, the USL announced Tuesday.

Kabwe had three goals and one assist in Carolina's historic 9-0 win over Miami last Wednesday. Cunliffe scored a goal in that game, and he netted the tying goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Montreal.

It's the eighth straight week a Carolina player has been selected to the Team of the Week and it's the ninth time this season more than one player has been chosen in the same week.

Kabwe is the third RailHawk to be named Player of the Week this season and it's his second selection to a Team of the Week. Against Miami, he recorded the fifth hat trick in RailHawks history and the 10 points earned are the highest single-game total ever by a RailHawk.

Kabwe got his assist against the Blues in the 40th minute, when he served a ball to the back post and Andriy Budnyy headed it in. Four minutes later, Kabwe followed up a rebound after a Budnyy shot and redirected it in. In the 76th minute, he headed in a Gregory Richardson cross, then completed his hat trick in the 80th. Sallieu Bundu played Kabwe into space, and Kabwe beat the offside trap and easily finished the chance.

Cunliffe's selection is his first appearance on a Team of the Week in 2009, making him the 17th different RailHawk to be so honored this season.

Against Miami, Cunliffe scored the RailHawks' second goal of the night. In the 36th minute, he took a ball at the top of box from Devon McKenney and uncorked a masterful, swerving shot that tucked into the upper corner of the goal, his first tally since May 22.

Against Montreal, Cunliffe equalized for the RailHawks in the 63rd minute. Cunliffe took a ball 35 yards from goal, carved apart the Impact defense and tucked the ball into the goal as Montreal goalkeeper Matt Jordan came charging out.

Kabwe, Cunliffe and the RailHawks (14-5-7) sit in second place in the USL-1 table. They will face the Impact again on Wednesday at Saputo Stadium, with kickoff at 7:45 p.m. They return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Sept. 12, when they will meet the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Week 21

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



USL First Division Stories from September 1, 2009


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