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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Remain Tied for First Place After Draw against Miami FC

May 14, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC - The Carolina RailHawks remain tied for first place in the NASL table following Saturday's 0-0 draw against Miami FC at WakeMed Soccer Park.

"We'll take the point, but ultimately that was a frustrating evening," said RailHawks coach Colin Clarke. "We had numerous chances to grab a goal, especially early in the match, but we just couldn't put the ball into the net. Credit to Miami's goalkeeper, he was up to the task when his team needed him. But we've got to be more ruthless in our finishing."

The first-place RailHawks were all over last-place Miami, particularly in the evening's first 15 minutes. MFC remained in the match through the efforts of goalkeeper Daniel Vega, who finished the night with five saves.

In the second minute, Vega denied a point-blank header from Kareem Moses, then Alex Perez saw his half-volley from 12-yards out turned away by Vega in the eighth minute.

Forward Billy Schuler nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute. He picked off an errant MFC pass near midfield and raced in on goal. But Vega was strong off his line, and Schuler's toe-poke clipped the outside of the post.

Schuler tried again two minutes later with a left-footed blast from outside the area, but once again, Vega made the save.

Though a wide-open affair, the RailHawks didn't get another strong look until the 55th minute. Tiyi Shipalane got the ball on the right flank. After some fancy footwork to ditch his defender, Shipalane spotted Perez at the penalty spot. With the ball played behind him, Perez spun around and hit a clean bicycle kick on target, but Vega was there to make the save.

Defensively, the RailHawks kept Miami FC (0-4-3) at bay. Despite 10 shots allowed, none of them were on target.

"We didn't give them much," said Carolina goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, who earned his second shutout of the season. "Defensively, we were very strong. We deserved all three points, so we're disappointed with a draw. The performance was there, but we still need to get better."

The RailHawks (4-2-1) are now one tied for first place with Minnesota United and sit one point clear of the New York Cosmos, who could pull level with the RailHawks with a tie, or surge past them with a win on Sunday at FC Edmonton.

The RailHawks hit the road to face FC Edmonton on May 22, and return to WakeMed Soccer Park on June 4 to face Jacksonville Armada in their final home match of the NASL Spring Season. Tickets are available at CarolinaRailHawks.com. The RailHawks also have on the horizon a July 12 friendly against English Premier League outfit West Ham United, who will become the first-ever EPL team to feature in the Triangle.

HAWK HITS

Akira Fitzgerald returned to the starting XI after missing the last two games while away due to the death of his mother.

Billy Schuler made his first start since joining the RailHawks in the offseason.

Saturday's shutout was the RailHawks' first since their 1-0 win over Ottawa on April 16.

Former RailHawks Pablo Campos returned to WakeMed Soccer Park, and checked into the match in as a Miami FC substitute in the 88th minute.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



North American Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2016


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