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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Draw with Tampa Bay

May 2, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC - The Carolina RailHawks (1W-3D-1L, 6 pts.) tied Tampa Bay Rowdies (2W-2D-1L, 8 pts.) by a score of 1-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

"We started very well in the first 15 minutes and scored a great goal," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "They get back into the game and put us in some pressure to score. I felt that we had control of the tempo of the game in the second half. I think we'll be better as we go on in the season."

Nacho Novo's return to the starting lineup proved to be crucial for the RailHawks as he helped stretch the Tampa Bay defense early on. In the 6th minute, Tiyi Shipalane juked a defender and found an open Novo in front of the net who capitalized to give the RailHawks a 1-0 advantage.

Tampa Bay responded with an aggressive attack that lasted throughout the rest of the half. In the 19th minute, Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov crossed to former RailHawks player Martin Nuî=B1ez who equalized into the left side of the goal.

The RailHawks did well to go into the break all level. Tampa Bay had many chances including a vacant net opportunity where Hunter Gilstrap found himself out of position after a save. Wes Knight was forced to do his best goalkeeper impression and cleared the final of three shots.

The RailHawks entered the second half with a new energy and created a number of scoring opportunities. In the 58th minute, Novo sent a crossing ball off of a breakaway that a defender barely reached before Leo Osaki could fire an open shot.

The game grew increasingly physical until Hristov was sent off late after a red card in the 76th minute. Tampa Bay played the remainder of the contest with 10 men and consequently, had a more defensive mindset. The RailHawks had one last good chance in stoppage time when Wells Thompson ripped a shot from 20 yards out, but goalkeeper Matt Pickens was there for the block.

The RailHawks will travel to San Antonio for the sixth game of the Spring Season on Saturday, May 9th, to face off with the Scorpions. The match will be broadcast live on WRAL2.

The RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, May 16th when they take on rival New York Cosmos.

To purchase Individual Game Tickets or Ticket Packages, visit CarolinaRailHawks.com (http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/home) or call the Johnson Maserati Box Office at 919-459-8144.

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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.

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