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USSF D-2 North Carolina FC

RailHawks Finish Road Trip Undefeated with 1-1 Draw in Vancouver

June 9, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
North Carolina FC News Release


BURNABY, B.C. (Wednesday, June 9, 2010) - The Carolina RailHawks (3-2-4, 13 pts.) ended their four-game road trip undefeated with a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-4, 16 pts.) at Swangard Stadium. A goal by Ansu Toure' in the 31st minute was answered by a penalty shot from Etienne Barbara in the 45th minute allowing both teams to keep their respective home and away records unblemished. The RailHawks take home eight points out of a possible twelve on this road trip to retain second place in the NASL conference of USSF D-2 three points behind Vancouver with a game in hand.

"We played well tonight and possessed the ball well," said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. "It was unfortunate to go down a goal but we kept our composure and never felt under much pressure. Overall it was a good point considering it was our fourth away game in a row."

The match began with the Whitecaps pressing hard on the defense but the RailHawks controlled the ball well throughout thwarting any attempt by Vancouver. Matt Watson had a good chance, after Vancouver goalie Jay Nolly came off his line, but the ball was headed out wide. In the 31st minute the Whitecaps got on the board after Jonny Steele played a ball to midfielder Zourab Tsiskaridze. Tsiskaridze brought the ball down the left side of the box and crossed it in where Ansu Toure flicked it past Reed for the temporary 1-0 lead. The game got a little more physical after the goal with a couple of yellow cards awarded to each of the teams but the Railhawks continued to create chances. The equalizer came in stoppage time when RailHawks forward Etienne Barbara was brought down in the box by Nelson Akwari. Etienne took the awarded penalty and easily scored breaking Jay Nolly's home shutout record.

The teams came back from the locker room both looking for the game winner to no avail. Josh Gardner had two back-to-back opportunities in the 50th and 51st minute but was saved and then deflected into corner. The Whitecaps responded in the 55th with a header by Marcus Haber and in the 67th with header by Philippe Davies both went above the crossbar, the latter tipped over with precision by Eric Reed. The match ended fittingly with the 1-1 result between two evenly matched teams.

The RailHawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park for a three-game home stand beginning on June 15 with the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Charlotte Eagles of USL-2 at 7 p.m. On Saturday June 19 at the RailHawks return to league play as they host Crystal Palace Baltimore at 7 p.m. It will be "Bark in the Park" night and special dog tickets will benefit the Wake County SPCA. It will also be our Father's day celebration and all fathers in attendance will receive two passes to the 10th anniversary of the SAS Championship in September. For more information and tickets to everything RailHawks visit the LGFCU Box Office, call 919-859-5425 or visit www.carolinarailhawks.com.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 9, 2010


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