USSF D-2 North Carolina FC

RailHawks Fall Short of League Title With 3-1 Loss

Published on October 30, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC - The Carolina RailHawks' magical late season run came to an end on Saturday night, falling to the Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 on aggregate. The RailHawks were unable to overcome the two goal deficit from last Sunday's loss in Puerto Rico, drawing 1-1 in front of a crowd of 5,074 on Saturday night.

"Over the two legs they were the better team," said RailHawks head coach Martin Rennie. "They're one of the best teams in all of CONCACAF and they always find a way to win big games. We dug ourselves a big hole in Puerto Rico and we knew coming back from two goals down would be difficult. But I'm proud of my team and the way they fought to the end."

Despite losing in the championship finals, the 2010 season was historic for the RailHawks. Coming in to the year, the RailHawks had never won a playoff game or scored a playoff goal. The RailHawks accomplished both feats en route to a second place finish in the USSF D-2.

The game kicked off with a frantic pace, and the Islanders took advantage. Islanders forward Sandy Gbandi danced through the defense and fired a shot past Eric Reed in the 8th minute. The RailHawks quickly cut the aggregate deficit back to 2, thanks to a Tom Heinemann header. In the 10th minute, Floyd Franks fired the ball from midfield, and Heinemann rose above his defender to deflect it past Bill Gaudette.

Despite persistent pressure in the second half, the RailHawks were unable to crack the Islanders defense. Fresh off of being named to the league's Best XI, RailHawks midfielder Daniel Paladini nearly found the back of the net numerous times. In the 58th minute, Paladini blasted a 35 yarder that Gaudette somehow stopped.

Reed gave the RailHawks a boost in the 89th minute after stopping a penalty to keep the deficit within reach. In stoppage time, Paladini hit a bending free kick labeled for the upper left corner, but Gaudette put a hand on it, to preserve the 3-1 Islanders win.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 30, 2010


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