Silverbacks Comeback to Clip RailHawks

September 19, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks' (7-8-9, 29 points) came-from-behind to win for the first time in 2015 league play, downing the Carolina RailHawks (6-8-10, 26 points), 2-1, at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

"The fact that we were able to dig ourselves out of an early mistake in a match that was vital to our season, that says a lot," Silverbacks coach Gary Smith said. "It always makes it easier to prepare for the next match after a postive performance."

Steward Ceus ' first start since returning from Haitian National Team duty got off to a rough start when an attempted clearance hit RailHawks midfielder Tyler Engel, bounced into Ceus' net, and put the Silverbacks down a goal in the 1st minute.

The Silverbacks earned their first corner of the match - and almost their first goal - in the 14th minute. After breaking away with a quick counter, Junior Burgos sent a looping pass over both teams for Jaime Chavez to run onto to. Chavez tangled with his defender before seeing the ball bobbling out of reach.

The RailHawks' lead didn't last long. The Silverbacks leveled the game in the 31st minute. After receiving a piercing pass from Burgos, Chavez took a couple touches before laying it off to Pedro Mendes . Mendes took a shot that grazed the fingertips of Akira Fitzgerald before rolling into the corner of the net.

"Scoring is always the goal, no matter the game," Mendes said. "It was bigger tonight after we went down in the first few minutes. I got my chance thanks to Jaime, and just wanted to keep all our momentum going forward."

Just three minutes later, Chavez assisted another goal. With his back to goal, Chavez played a ball to an oncoming Kyle Porter . Porter ripped off a shot to the far post, putting Atlanta up.

Carolina's Engel almost recorded his second of the game in the 53rd minute after sending in a rocket from outside the 18-yard-box. Fortunately for Ceus, the ball hit the crossbar and bounced down in front of Ceus' feet.

Engel wasn't the only one getting second chances. In the 61st minute, Mendes almost snagged another goal when his shot went near-post, but Fitzgerald was able to get a hold of it.

Smith's substitutions were anything but defensive. Jon Okafor and Shaka Bangura kept the pressure on Carolina's backline all the way to the final whistle. In the end Atlanta held on for a final 2-1 scoreline and a much needed three points at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.



North American Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2015


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