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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Drop 1-0 Decision to Miami FC in Midweek Match

September 15, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Miami, Fla.- The Carolina RailHawks dropped a 1-0 decision to Miami FC at FIU Stadium tonight. A late goal by second-half substitute Dario Cvitanich proved to be enough in a match that saw a stellar performance by RailHawks goalkeeper Bryan Sylvestre.

The teams began the match sizing each other up and going back and forth with possession for most of the first 15 minutes. In the 19th minute, Enzo Rennella slotted a ball to Michael Lahoud in the box but the RailHawks defense was quick to recover.

Miami earned another chance just three minutes later, but Rhett Bernstein's re-direct, off of a Jonny Steele free kick, sailed inches wide to the left of the post.

The RailHawks responded with chances of their own in the 25th when Nazmi Albadawi sent a through ball to Billy Schuler who found himself surrounded by Miami defenders, unable to take his shot.

Miami FC proved dangerous when rookie Aaron Dennis took a chance from the top of the box only to see Brian Sylvestre snuff his opportunity with a massive save and deflection into corner.

The final minutes of the scoreless half saw a beautiful shot by Schuler sail left of goal in the 37th, and a rocket from Albadawi found Gabriel Farfan's foot right on the goal line.

The second half's tempo picked up as Miami posed a threat in the 50th minute with a wide header by Rennella and excellent defending was seen by Connor Tobin on a surging Steele. Sylvestre continued to play a key role in the RailHawks' defense with back-to-back saves on Rennella and Ariel Martinez in the 60th and 62nd.

Matt Fondy and Brian Shriver came into the game to give a spark to the RailHawks offense, still looking to break the tie. It was Miami, however, who would find the back of the net first. In the 75th minute, Cvitanich startled Matt Watson, dispossessing him at the top of the 18-yard box and putting the ball into the side netting for the 1-0 lead.

Carolina continued to apply pressure for the last 15 minutes of the game, looking for what would have been a well-deserved point; however, Miami continued to break down the visitors' game.

In the final moments of the game, Sylvestre's fifth save of the night denied Miami another tally, fixing the result at 1-0 for the home team.

Hawk Hits: * Kareem Moses made his 10th start for the RailHawks appearing in his 15th game * Simon Mensing returned to the lineup for the first time since July 31 * Billy Schuler earned his fifth start for the RailHawks. * The RailHawks return to action this Saturday, September 17 as they visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be broadcast live on WRAL2, TWC SportsChannel and ESPN3. * Carolina returns to WakeMed Soccer Park for a two-game homestand starting on Saturday, September 24 as they host FC Edmonton at 7:30 p.m. The RailHawks return to the pitch the following Wednesday, September 28 to host the New York Cosmos at 7:30 p.m.

Boxscore: MIA 1 CAR 0

Lineups: MIA: Mario Daniel Vega; Hunter Freeman, Rhett Bernstein, Mason Trafford, Gabriel Farfan; Wilson Palacios © (Pablo Campos, 61'), Michael Lahoud, Jonny Steele, Ariel Martinez (Blake Smith, 72'); Vincenzo Rennella, Aaron Dennis (Dario Cvitanich, 76')

Subs not used: Sebastian Evers, Jonathan Borrajo, Hugo Leroux, Calvin Rezende

CAR: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Simon Mensing, Mickey Daly (Omar Bravo, 86'), Kareem Moses; Austin da Luz, Matt Watson, James Marcelin (Brian Shriver, 76'), Nazmi Albadawi ©; Billy Schuler (Matt Fondy, 64')

Subs not used: Akira Fitzgerald, Marvin Ceballos, Tiyi Shipalane, Jonathon Orlando

Goals: MIA: Cvitanich (unassisted, 77) CAR - Cautions: MIA: Dario Cvitanich, 90+ CAR: Mickey Daly, 42; Kareem Moses, 62, Omar Bravo, 90+

Ejections: MIA -- CAR -- Attendance: 6,592 ###

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