The RailHawks (2-5-4, 11 pts.) responded to the heart-breaking loss against MLS’s Chivas USA by stomping the league co-leaders, Minnesota Stars FC, on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park 5-1. It was the Stars’ first loss of the season, and the RailHawks second consecutive win over a leader in the NASL after last Saturday’s win over the Puerto Rico Islanders. Defender Austen King, Nick Zimmerman, Brian Shriver, Zack Schilawski, and Jason Garey scored the goals for the RailHawks.

“I am very proud of the team. We had a great game offensively and were able to get the job done defensively,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “Minnesota is a tough team, and today we were able to earn the three points. The team is on the right track and we still have half the season in front of us.”

The RailHawks surprised the Stars (4-5-1, 17 pts.) with the first goal of the game in the 24^th minute when Austin Da Luz crossed a ball to find King who headed it across the goal to beat the Stars keeper and score his first career goal. It was Da Luz’s first assist in NASL play. The RailHawks went up 2-0 when Zimmerman’s effort on goal from 20 yards out took a deflection and left the keeper out of position. Minnesota cut the lead in added time when Simone Bracalello collected a ball in the box and placed it past Ray Burse.

In the second half, the RailHawks continued to capitalize on their chances. In the 53^rd minute, Schilawski’s shot hits the post and Shriver collected the rebound and scored his fifth goal of the season to put the RailHawks up 3-1. Just 8 minutes later Schilawski received a perfect through ball from Breiner Ortiz to score his first goal in NASL play to put the RailHawks 4-1. There was time for one more goal in the second half. Ty Shipalane took a free kick and found Garey in the far post that headed the ball for the RailHawks fifth goal of the match.

After playing the Stars, the RailHawks will travel to Atlanta to take on the Silverbacks on June 16^th at 7:30 PM ET. The match will be broadcast live at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com/live. The RailHawks will return to action at WakeMed Soccer Park on June 23^rd when FC Edmonton comes to town to face off against the RailHawks. Tickets for the match are available online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For information about upcoming matches and tickets, contact the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144 or tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.

LINEUPS

CAR: GK Burse, D Elenio, D Krause, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman, M Lowery, M Ortiz, M Da Luz (Millington, 76), F Schilawski (Garey, 84), F Shriver (Shipalane, 79)

MIN: GK Van Oekel, D Davis, D Dias, D Kallman, D Altman, M Hlavaty, M Wasson (Takada, 72), M Ibarra, M Venegas (Nuñez, 62), F Bracalello, F Del-Do (Wall, 78)

GOALS

CAR: King (Da Luz), 24; Zimmerman (unassisted), 41; Shriver (unassisted), 53; Schilawski (Ortiz), 61; Garey (Shipalane), 90

MIN: Bracalello (unassisted), 45;

CAUTIONS

CAR: Lowery, 25;

MIN: Altman, 82; Hlavaty, 82; Davis, 90;

SHOTS

CAR: 16

MIN: 14

SAVES

CAR: 2

MIN: 5