USSF D-2 North Carolina FC

RailHawks Tie Whitecaps 2-2

July 31, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC (July 31, 2010) - The Carolina RailHawks (6-4-6, 24 pts) tied the Vancouver Whitecaps (8-3-9, 33 pts) 2-2 on Saturday night. After falling behind 2-0, Mark Schulte and Josh Gardner scored to earn one point for the RailHawks.

"We worked on getting forward a lot quicker and we were doing that really well," said RailHawks head coach Martin Rennie. "But 15 minutes in the game we're down 2-0 which was hard to believe because we missed a penalty kick and a few opportunities. Halfway into the game we missed loads of good chances and played the best we've played all season. But we kept going and going, and deservedly we made it 2-2."

The Whitecaps came out firing, when Martin Nash converted a penalty-kick in the 2nd minute. Three minutes later, Gregory Richardson earned a penalty kick that Floyd Franks banged off the crossbar. The RailHawks fell behind 2-0 in the 15th minute when Phil Davies blasted a shot past Eric Reed. Despite going down by two early, the RailHawks continued to press forward and look for scoring opportunities.

The RailHawks cut the score to 2-1 in the 40th minute when Schulte capitalized on a RailHawks flurry. Gardner jumpstarted the play when he took a shot from just outside the box that Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly steered wide. Playing in just his second game with the RailHawks, Allan Russell picked up the rebound and played the ball to Schulte, earning his first point with the assist.

As the first half winded down, the constant RailHawks offensive onslaught had Vancouver's defense reeling. The Whitecaps were unable to escape the first half with a lead, as Gardner evened up the score in the 45th minute. Franks played a through ball to Gregory Richardson who raced into the box, drew Nolly off his line and played the ball to Gardner who tapped it in the empty net.

"I saw the play developing on the right side" said Gardner. "I could either take the day off or get it into the box, and Floyd [Franks] played a great ball into Gregory [Richardson]. I just kept running and Greg was unselfish and touched across, and it was a great team effort."

Both teams settled down in the second half, and offensive chances began to shore up. Franks nearly put the RailHawks ahead in the 54th minute, but his shot went just wide. The Whitecaps also had a late chance to steal the game when Martin Nash blasted a ball off the crossbar in the 83rd. Both teams failed to capitalize as the game winded down, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Next the RailHawks host the Montreal Impact on August 7 at 7 p.m. It will be Military Appreciation night and all active, reserve and retired members of the military will get in free by showing their military ID discounts will also be available for their families. To purchase tickets or for more information visit the LGFCU Box Office at WakeMed Soccer Park, call 919-859-5425 or visit www.carolinarailhawks.com.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 31, 2010


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