The Carolina RailHawks (5-5-5, 20 pts.) defeated the Silverbacks (1-9-5, 8 pts.) in a wild game that had two delays due to lightning in the first half with a total delay of 113 minutes. Many fans waited for the match to resume and enjoy the Fireworks Extravaganza that followed the match. The final score was 2-1 with two goals by Nick Zimmerman for Carolina and Matt Horth temporarily tied the game for Atlanta.

“Today was a wild match with the lightning delays. Fortunately our guys were able to continue to find their form after the delays dominating the match,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “It was good to get the win, now we must regroup and start getting ready for Saturday. On behalf of the team we want to say thank you to all the fans that came out and those that waited for the game to resume.”

The RailHawks found the back of the net in the fourth minute of play when Zimmerman received a pass from Jason Garey in the box and got his shot past goalkeeper Daniel Illyes. The RailHawks followed the goal with a series of dangerous attacks but it would be the Silverbacks who would find the next goal, making the game 1-1. Borfor Carr found Horth inside Carolina’s box and he finished the play with a subtle touch past a diving Ray Burse.

In the 23rd minute of play, the referees stopped the match due to lightning. After 78 minutes off the pitch play resumed but only for 5 minutes before lightning again forced another delay. With the game on hold in the 28th minute, play resumed at 9:28 PM. The rest of the first half was played with the RailHawks on the offensive but the failed to capitalize on the scoring opportunities.

Five minutes into the second half the RailHawks found the back of the net again. Defender Cory Elenio served a precise cross that Zimmerman was able to head into the back of the net for his 9th goal of the season. The RailHawks dominated the rest of the half and were close to scoring again when Breiner Ortiz received a cross from a free kick and Illyes was forced to change direction to stop it.

The RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park on July 7th at 7:00 PM to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.  The night will include a post-match fireworks show. Tickets for the match are available online. 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 Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman, M Lowery, M Shipalane, M Palacio (Nurse, 90), F Garey (Schilawski, 83), F Shriver (Ortiz, 74)

ATL: GK Illyes, D Moroney (Robertson, 46), D Duran, D Lancaster, D Burciaga, M Colaluca (Paulini, 46), M Cox (Klute, 87), M O'Brien, M McManus, F Carr, F Horth

GOALS

CAR: Zimmerman (Garey), 4; Zimmerman (Elenio), 50;

ATL: Horth (Carr), 15;

CAUTIONS

CAR: Zimmerman, 84;

ATL: Robertson, 64;

SHOTS

CAR: 21

ATL: 8

SAVES

CAR: 3

ATL: 8