NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Draw with Puerto Rico FC in First Meeting

Published on August 13, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, N.C.- Carolina returned home tonight after three straight games on the road and tied NASL expansion team Puerto Rico FC 2-2. Forwards Matt Fondy and Omar Bravo each had a tally to secure a point for the RailHawks for the second week in a row.

Carolina dominated the field with quick and accurate passes in the opening minutes of the match. In the ninth minute, Tiyi Shipalane fostered difficulty for Puerto Rico goalkeeper David Meves when the South African sent a cross in front of the goal for Meves to bobble. Fondy was there, but the keeper jumped on the ball before the forward could get a foot on it.

A second opportunity arose when Matt Watson slid to get a pass to Fondy in the final third; Fondy's shot went just over the crossbar in the 17th minute. Brian Shriver took his turn at finding Fondy in the 22nd minute after beating an orange jersey with a quick touch, but Fondy was called offside.

Carolina's defense proved strong when Puerto Rico had a chance in the 27th minute. A dangerous cross was sent into the box, but Drew Beckie was there with a diving header to clear the ball away.

Omar Bravo nearly made the score 1-0 in the 35th after Fondy flicked a short pass into the box for Bravo to finish, but his shot rocketed off the crossbar. Bravo's next attempt in the 40th minute would have a different outcome. Shipalane performed his signature step over in the far corner and slotted the ball directly to Bravo's feet. The Mexican International skillfully put the ball away to put the RailHawks up by one late in the first.

RailHawks captain Nazmi Albadawi tried to find the back of the net in first half stoppage time, but Puerto Rico's keeper Meves made the save to send the teams into the locker room with a score of 1-0.

Puerto Rico struck first in the second half. Midfielder Michael Kafari tested Brian Sylvestre with an attempt from afar, but the six-foot-four keeper blocked the high shot. In the 52nd minute, Paulo Mendes evened the score after finishing a cross from Hector Ramos.

Fondy had an opportunity to retake the lead in the 62nd minute after beating a Puerto Rico defender with the help of Connor Tobin, but the forward sent a shot into the wrong side of the netting.

Despite controlling the game, the RailHawks trailed 2-1 after Ramos headed a cross from Ramon Del Campo past Sylvestre in the 67th.

Fondy finally found his rhythm after several valiant attempts. He perfectly timed Watson's cross, skillfully flicking the ball into the corner of the net in the 88th minute of play.

With the game tied, neither team could find the winning goal in stoppage time. Carolina and Puerto Rico's first fixture ended even at 2 goals each.

Hawk Hits: * Omar Bravo scored his third goal of the season tonight in four games played * Matt Fondy netted his fourth goal with the RailHawks, putting him one goal behind team leading scorer Brian Shriver * Bravo and Fondy have combined to score seven of the total 13 goals for Carolina in the NASL Fall Season * Tiyi Shipalane's assist was his third of the season. He is second on the team in assists to Nazmi Albadawi who has six * Matt Watson had his first assist of the season to Matt Fondy in the 88^th minute * Brian Shriver is the only RailHawk to play all 18 games this season * Albadawi returned to the field tonight after missing the last three games due to an injury. He was back in the captain's armband and was awarded the Growler of the Match * Connor Tobin played for the first time since the season opener against Minnesota United on July 2 in which he was injured. He was subbed in tonight in the 43rd minute * Carolina outshot Puerto Rico 10-6 * Steven Miller was named to the NASL Team of the Week for Week 6 for his outstanding performance against Jacksonville on August 6. He had an assist to Omar Bravo in the 68th minute of play and led the game in touches, tackles and total passes * The RailHawks have had five different players named to the Team of the Week for four out of six weeks * Assistant Coach Dewan Bader is currently in Pilsen, Czech Republic with the U-18 United States Men's National Team for the Vaclav Jezek Tournament. The team named 20 players to their roster, including former RailHawk academy player Nick Taitague. The tournament runs from August 10-21 * Tonight was Kicks 4 Kids Night- a special game night where tickets are distributed to underprivileged children and families who would normally be unable to attend RailHawks games. Corporate sponsors and individual donors provide tax-deductible ticket donations through the RailHawks Spread Your Wings Charity * The RailHawks host Indy Eleven next Saturday, August 20 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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