The RailHawks have always been about playing attractive soccer and a big part of that is scoring goals. In 2011, the top two goal scorers in the NASL were RailHawks: Etienne Barbara with 20 goals and Pablo Campos with 12. This year, the RailHawks again boasted one of the top two scorers in Nick Zimmerman with 15 goals, with the league-leader being Campos.

The RailHawks also led the league as a team in the 2011 season with 50 goals scored, an NASL record.  Puerto Rico and Tampa Bay came in tied at second with 41. In 2012, the RailHawks came in second with 44 goals, only trailing San Antonio by two.

Overall, 37 players in the league scored three or more goals in the 2012 regular season, seven of whom are RailHawks. Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico and Tampa Bay all trail with five players each with three or more goals.  

Leading the RailHawks is Zimmerman, but not far behind is Brian Shriver who scored 10 goals in all competitions this year. Shriver won the U.S. Open Cup scoring title with five goals in three games. His five league goals are matched by Tiyi Shipalane, followed by Zack Schilawski with four. Brian Ackley, Jason Garey and Mike Palacio round out the RailHawks with three goals each.

RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke believes the players, not the coach, dictate the style of play, and this year’s roster is stacked with creative and offensive-minded players.  

“Zimmerman has obviously gotten the bulk of our goals, which has been great,” said Clarke. “But the goals have been pretty well spread around a group between Shipalane and Shriver, to Schilawski, Ackley, Garey and Palacio. We have a lot of exciting players who like to attack and play attractive soccer for our fans.”

The RailHawks have had 15 multiple goal games in 2012 (13 NASL matches and two U.S. Open Cup), averaging 1.74 goals a game, and have only been shut out in six of their 31 games this year. In a three game U.S. Open Cup run, the RailHawks managed to find the back of the net nine times, twice against reigning MLS Champions L.A. Galaxy.

In many different matches, various players have stepped up to score when needed, making it hard for opposing teams to keep the ball out of their goal.

While the players have made the difference on the field, Clarke has created an environment of exciting, attack-focused soccer and brought in the right players to thrive in this atmosphere. RailHawks President Curt Johnson saw Clarke’s philosophy and tactics and brought him to Carolina to replace Martin Rennie, who left to become the head coach of MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps, and continue the tradition of electrifying soccer in Cary.

The RailHawks return to action at WakeMed Soccer Park in the NASL Quarterfinals on September 29^th at 7p.m. against Fort Lauderdale.  The two matchups between the RailHawks and Strikers at WakeMed this year held a total of 12 goals, so don’t miss the exciting action. Tickets for the match can be purchased through the Cruizers Box Office by calling (919) 459-8144 or by visiting www.CarolinaRailHawks.com