RailHawks Finish Season with a Draw
Published on November 1, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC - The Carolina RailHawks finished the 2014 NASL Regular Season with a 2-2 tie against Minnesota United on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park.
In a game where the RailHawks needed a victory against Minnesota, combined with a loss by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, to advance to the post-season NASL Championship, the excitement of the game could be felt throughout the stadium. RailHawks midfielder Tiyi Shipalane delivered the first bit of relief for RailHawks fans when in the 22nd minute, he weaved his way through three defenders and delivered the perfect pass to Nacho Novo, who with a one-time shot gave the RailHawks a 1-0 lead.
Just as both teams were set to start the second half, the stadium lights went off at WakeMed Soccer Park, which caused a 30-minute delay to the game.
After the game was resumed, Minnesota was able to equalize after an errant pass by Kupono Low was recovered by Minnesota's Greg Jordan, who then found Ramirez outside of the penalty area. Ramirez blasted a shot just inside the bottom left post to score his 20th goal of the season.
A crowd of 6,460 fans in attendance continued to rally behind the RailHawks, and in the 74th minute, it was former RailHawks U-23 player, Alex Martinez, who slid past two Minnesota defenders and found Nazmi Albadawi in the box to give the RailHawks a 2-1 lead in the 74th minute of play.
The RailHawks were less than five minutes away from the final Championship spot when the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers scored against Ottawa to tie their game and thereby eliminate the RailHawks from the NASL Championship. A late own goal by RailHawks defender Connor Tobin gave Minnesota the tying 2-2 goal, however, given the better season-long goal differential for the Strikers, Minnesota's tying goal did not ultimately change the post-season outcome.
Prior to the game, the Carolina RailHawks announced the following winners of their 2014 team awards: Jordan Burt (Summit Hospitality Community Service Award), Justin Willis (Summit Hospitality Community Service Award), Connor Tobin (Summit Hospitality Community Service Award), Daniel Scott (Defensive Player of the Year), Zack Schilawski (Offensive Player of the Year), Jun Marques-Davidson (Team Leadership Award and MVP) and Nazmi Albadawi (WakeMed Unsung Hero Award and Fan Favorite Award).
RailHawks 2015 Ticket Packages are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Johnson Maserati Box Office at (919) 459-8144 or e-mailing Tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com. For more information on Season Tickets and Flex Plans visit www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. Keep up with all RailHawks news by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and CarolinaRailHawks.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from November 1, 2014
- Scorpions Claim the NASL Fall Season Championship with a 1-0 - San Antonio Scorpions
- Strikers Clinch Spot in NASL Semi Finals - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Scorpions Win Fall Title, Strikers Clinch Final Postseason Spot in Drama-Filled Night of NASL Action - NASL
- RailHawks Finish Season with a Draw - North Carolina FC
- Indy Eleven tie Rowdies - Indy Eleven
- Strikers Clinch Playoff Spot; Play Minnesota United Next Saturday - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Finishes Regular Season with 2-2 Draw in Carolina - Minnesota United FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies and Indy Eleven Draw 2-2 After Wild Closing Minutes - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: San Antonio Scorpions vs New York - San Antonio Scorpions
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