Match Preview: RailHawks to Host Fort Lauderdale Strikerson Wednesday, July 8th at 7:30pm
Published on July 7, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC (July 7, 2015) - The Carolina RailHawks (1W-0D-0L, 3pts.) will take on The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (0W-0D-0L, 0pts.) at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, July 8th at 7:30 pm ET.
The RailHawks are undefeated over their past five NASL matches and hope to continue their momentum on Wednesday night. The Strikers finished eighth in the NASL spring season standings and have yet to play a match in the NASL fall season.
The RailHawks are second in the NASL fall season standings right behind FC Edmonton. The RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Ottawa Fury FC, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are all at the top of the fall season standings with three points and are ranked by goal differential. In the NASL combined fall and spring season standings, the RailHawks sit alone at third place with 17 points.
The RailHawks are coming off a dominant 3-1 win against Minnesota United FC in the fall season opener. Simone Bracalello started the scoring off for the RailHawks with a beautiful goal from outside of the box to give them a 1-0 lead. Midfielders Tiyi Shipalane and Austin Da Luz both added goals later in the match to help lead the team to victory.
Although the Strikers have not played a NASL match in the fall, they faced the RailHawks previously in the spring season at Lockhart Stadium. The RailHawks went on to win this game 1-0 behind a spectacular performance by goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald made a handful of fantastic saves to keep a clean sheet and Tiyi Shipalane scored a goal for the RailHawks, which proved to be just enough to bring home a win.
RailHawks Notes:
Who to Watch
RailHawks midfielder Austin da Luz started off the fall season with a sensational performance in a 3-1 win against Minnesota United. The Winston-Salem native scored a goal on a breakaway in the 57th minute and played great defense at the end of the match despite the team being a man down to help seal the victory for the RailHawks.
Coach's Quote
"We're off to a great start and now we have to back it up," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "This is a great opportunity for us at home to put another three points on the board and build from there.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 7, 2015
- Match Preview: RailHawks to Host Fort Lauderdale Strikerson Wednesday, July 8th at 7:30pm - North Carolina FC
- Silverbacks Add Attack-Minded Burgos to Midfield - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Strikers Appoint Caio Zanardi General Manager - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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