NASL North Carolina FC

Match Recap: RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC

Published on October 12, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC
RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC
(North Carolina FC, Credit: Rob Kinnan)

Cary, N.C. - The Carolina RailHawks (10W-7D-12L; 37 pts; 7th place) dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision on Wednesday night against Rayo OKC (9W-11D-9L; 38 pts; 5th place).

The first half of the game saw the RailHawks stifle Rayo OKC's offense, as Brian Sylvestre was forced to make only two saves.

As for Carolina's offensive chances, their first opportunity came in the 16th minute with a Marvin Ceballos shot from outside the box. The midfielder's attempt was close, forcing Daniel Fernandes to make a diving save on the powerful shot.

Keeping up the pressure, the RailHawks had yet another close call just a minute later as Simon Mensing's header missed slightly left, after connecting with Nazmi Albadawi's cross.

The RailHawks had an additional chance to strike in the 25th minute when Billy Schuler broke loose for a one-on-one chance against Fernandes. The midfielder sent a shot from the middle of the box towards the goalkeeper, who had to make a tough save in order to hold the game scoreless.

Sylvestre did well early in the second half to continue to give his RailHawks a chance to post the first tally. The 6-foot-4 keeper made a key save in the 53rd minute by denying Rayo OKC's Yuma and making a low stop on a forceful shot near the bottom left corner.

The RailHawks nearly scored the goal they had been waiting for just nine minutes later as Fernandes was forced to make a quick reaction save on a shot from Matt Fondy that was taken in the center of the box, as Marvin Ceballos found the forward with some open space.

Maintaining intensity, Albadawi nearly had a goal of his own in the 73rd minute as his shot was pawed away by Fernandes with a diving save, sending the ball off the far post. Three minutes later, a shot from James Marcelin missed left of the net, as the RailHawks continued their offensive onslaught.

Despite an array of late RailHawks chances, a slight edge in possession throughout the game and four minutes of stoppage time, it was Rayo OKC who found the back of the net with a goal from Michel in the 83rd minute.

Carolina was unable to find the equalizer, resulting in a tough 1-0 loss to Rayo OKC.

Hawk Hits:

Brian Sylvestre made his 9th consecutive start; the goalkeeper made four saves. Billy Schuler made his 6th start this season and Marvin Ceballos made his second. This week's NASL Team of the Week featured three RailHawks players: Brian Sylvestre, Austin da Luz and Brian Shriver. Nazmi Albadawi broke a modern era NASL record in this past Sunday's win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with his 10th assist of the season. The RailHawks will next travel to Carroll Stadium for a Saturday, Oct. 15 match against the Indy Eleven at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WRAL2, TWC SportsChannel and beIN SPORTS. Boxscore:

CAR 0

OKC 1

Lineups:

CAR: Brian Sylvestre; Kareem Moses, Simon Mensing, Connor Tobin, Steven Miller; James Marcelin (Brian Shriver, 83') Matt Watson; Marvin Ceballos (Austin da Luz, 66') Nazmi Albadawi ©, Billy Schuler (Tiyi Shipalane, 66'); Matt Fondy

Subs not used: Drew Beckie, Michael Daly, Mitchell Garcia, Akira Fitzgerald

OKC: Daniel Fernandes; Kosuke Kimura, Futty Danso, Sebastien Ibeagha, Michel Pereira ©; Pecka (Moises Hernandez, 61') Jarad Van Schaik; Yuma, Richard Menjivar (Tyler Gibson, 87'), Marvin Chavez (Billy Forbes, 76'); Derek Boateng

Subs not used: Bryan Byars, Robbie Findley

Goals:

CAR: -- OKC: Michel (Richard Menjivar, 82')

Cautions:

CAR: Nazmi Albadawi, 59'

OKC: Yuma, 28', Richard Menjivar, 55'

Ejections:

CAR: -- OKC: --

Attendance: 3,308

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Images from this story

RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC
RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC
(Rob Kinnan)		   



North American Soccer League Stories from October 12, 2016


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