CARY, N.C. – The Carolina RailHawks’ landmark season came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night, as they fell to the Minnesota Stars in the NASL Semifinal in a penalty kick shootout before a crowd of 4,002 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The RailHawks entered the two-leg, aggregate-goal series trailing 1-0. After 90 minutes Saturday, they led the Stars 4-3, leveling the match 4-4 on aggregate. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, the Stars won the shootout 5-3 to deny the RailHawks a return trip to the Championship Finals.

The RailHawks fought to the end, netting the series equalizer in the fifth minute of extra time. Pablo Campos had a hat trick, and Nick Zimmerman added another. Jonny Steele had two assists, and Etienne Barbara one.

Minnesota’s Andrei Gotsmanov opened the scoring for the Stars in the 40th minute. After gaining possession outside the RailHawks’ box, Gotsmanov hit a shot that beat Brad Knighton after taking a deflection off of RailHawks defender Gareth Evans. Gotsmanov’s goal put the Stars up 2-0 on aggregate.

Campos bagged his first goal in first-half added time. Kupono Low played a long ball forward. Campos ran onto it with Minnesota defender Brian Kallman alongside him stride for stride. Warren came out to intercept the pass at the top of the area, but Campos managed to poke the ball by him and beat Kallman, then he walked the ball into the goal. That score closed the aggregate gap to 2-1.

Minnesota went back ahead in the 52nd minute, after Lucas Rodgriguez’s shot deflected off Evans and snuck by Knighton.

Down two goals on aggregate, the RailHawks closed the gap quickly. In the 60th minute, Campos converted a penalty kick. In the 63rd minute, Barbara played Zimmerman into space. Zimmerman beat Minnesota’s Warren to the ball and lofted it over the Minnesota goalkeeper, bringing the match even on aggregate, 3-3.

But the score didn’t remain even for long. Three minutes later, RailHawks defender Devon McKenney was sent off after tackling Rodriguez in the box. Minnesota’ Neil Hlavaty conveted the penalty kick, giving the Stars a 4-3 aggregate lead.

The RailHawks nearly evened things in the 87th minute, when Campos took another penalty kick, but his try crashed off the crossbar.

The RailHawks had one last chance, and Campos capitalized. Steele’s corner kick in the 95th minute found Campos in the area, and his shot beat Warren to send the match to extra time.

After two scoreless, 15-minute extra-time periods, the RailHawks and Stars entered into penalty kicks. Minnesota converted all five of its kicks, while Warren saved Steele’s try in the second round.

MINNESOTA 4, CAROLINA 4 (Minnesota wins series 5-3 in shootout)

LINEUPS

MIN: GK Joe Warren, D Justin Davis, D Cristiano Dias, D Brian Kallman, D Kyle Altman, M Neil Hlavaty, M Andrei Gotsmanov (Kentaro Takada, 56), M Jeff Cosgriff, M Lucas Rodriguez, F Brian Cvilikas (Simone Bracalello, 75), F Luke Mulholland (Devin Del Do, 102)

CAR: GK Brad Knighton, D Kupono Low, D Devon McKenney, D Tyler Lassiter (Nick Zimmerman, 55), M Floyd Franks, M Tony McManus (Chris Nurse, 75), M Matt Watson, F Brian Farber (Jonny Steele, 55), F Pablo Campos, F Etienne Barbara

SCORING SUMMARY

MIN: Andrei Gotsmanov, 40
CAR: Pablo Campos (Kupono Low), 45+
MIN: Lucas Rodriguez, 52
CAR: Pablo Campos (PK), 60
CAR: Nick Zimmerman (Etienne Barbara), 63
MIN: Neil Hlavaty (PK), 67
CAR: Pablo Campos (Jonny Steele), 90+ 

CAUTIONS

MIN: Brian Kallman, 7; Andrei Gotsmanov, 10; Brian Civilikas, 36; Kyle Altman, 47; Justin Davis, 120+
CAR: Pablo Campos, 45+; Jonny Steele, 57; Floyd Franks,85; Chris Nurse, 103

EJECTIONS

CAR: Devon McKenney, 66

SHOTS

MIN: 18
CAR: 19

FOULS

MIN: 11
CAR: 17

Attendance: 4,002