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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Move to 4-0 with Win at Tampa Bay

April 23, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - The Carolina RailHawks (4W-0T-0L, 12pts) defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1W, 2T, 1L, 5pts), 3-1, to push their record to 4-0 to start the NASL spring season. With the victory, the RailHawks stand all alone in first place with 12 points.

Alex Perez, James Marcelin and Brian Shriver scored the RailHawks goals. Paul Black and Nazmi Albadawi recorded assists. Nick Taitague, a 17-year-old amateur and member of the U.S. Under-18 National Team, made his debut becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a Carolina RailHawks match.

"We got three goals from three different players all scoring their first goal of the season," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "From back to front, this team is playing like a unit. To go on the road and win is not easy. I am super proud of this entire team and this entire organization."

Albadawi, the RailHawks captain who recorded his fourth assist in as many games, almost scored his first goal of the season in the 9^th minute. Austin da Luz delivered a cross right to the head of Albadawi who snapped it toward goal. Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens was able to parry it away.

"It was a great start for the team," Clarke said. "Naz (Albadawi) continues to find himself in the right spot. Just like last week when the goalkeeper made some great plays, we didn't let it slow us down."

After Tampa Bay had regained some of the play in the final 10 minutes of the first half, Carolina was able to find the back of the net in the 45^th minute.

Black, who has started every game at left back for the RailHawks, worked his way up the left side and squared a ball through the box. Perez was waiting on the far post to make it 1-0.

The RailHawks would quickly add to the lead in the second half. da Luz took a corner kick, found Albadawi at the top of the box and Albadawi delivered a ball far post. Shriver and Marcelin were both waiting and Marcelin got to the ball first to make it 2-0.

The Rowdies would pull one goal back in the 65^th minute with a goal from Tamika Mkandawire.

"We didn't let the Tampa Bay goal rattle us," Clarke would add. "We had to make some adjustments because of injuries (starting right back Drew Beckie and Black would both leave the game), we regrouped, and rallied for another goal."

The final goal would come in the 87^th minute after Tiyi Shipalane earned a penalty kick when Ben Sweat took him down in the box.

Shriver, who spent the last two years with the Rowdies after winning the Golden Boot with 15 goals in 2013 for the RailHawks, slammed home the penalty kick for his first goal of the season.

"Feels great to be able to bring another three points back to North Carolina," da Luz said after the game. "Great to see (Shriver) get a goal, everyone is doing their part for the team."

The RailHawks will be in New York on Sunday, May 1, to take on the Cosmos before returning to WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday, May 7, to face Ft. Lauderdale at 7:30 pm. Tickets are still available at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com.

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