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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Fall 3-1 in Minnesota

September 12, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


BLAINE, MN (September 12, 2015) - The Carolina RailHawks lost a tough match 3-1 against Minnesota United FC Saturday night at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

Looking for a win, the RailHawks looked confident early on and capitalized on offensive pressure shortly after the game's beginning when Futty Danso netted a goal in the 4th minute. Off a corner kick from Tiyi Shipalane, who collected his 8th assist of the season, Danso headed the ball into the back of the net to give the RailHawks the lead with his first goal of the season.

Akira Fitzgerald, team captain for the game, made a number of outstating saves and maintained the RailHawks' lead after holding off the Loons' advances while scoring chances were created to Dzenan Catic and Tyler Engel. Worth noting, Engel, a former standout at the University of North Carolina broke into the starting lineup for the first time this season.

The RailHawks maintained the energy and level of play throughout the first half and were close to score their second goal in numerous occasions. This was the fifth consecutive match in which the RailHawks held a half time lead in the Fall Season.

The second half began with an exchange of opportunities for both teams, with one of the best opportunities of the second half coming from Nacho Novo who nearly put the RailHawks up 2-0 in the 64th minute after entering the game, but was eventually called offside.

Minnesota United FC recorded their first goal in the 72nd minute, after a deflection inside the RailHawks penalty box caught the defensive line off balance, resulting in an own goal. In the 76th minute and again in the 81st minute, the Loons found the back of the net twice more, increasing their lead to 3-1, which would remain the final score despite the RailHawks' attempts to equalize.

The RailHawks look to continue their playoff push in Atlanta against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday, September 19th at 7:30 pm ET. The match will be broadcast live locally in North Carolina on WRAL2, and nationally on ESPN3.

The RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park to host first-place Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 pm ET.

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