While all four of the regular season meetings between the RailHawks and Rowdies ended in stalemates, the first leg of the the semifinal match finally produced a winner. For the first time in the last ten meetings, the Tampa Bay Rowdies defeated the Carolina RailHawks.

Despite Carolina dominating the early stages of the match, Rowdies’ forward Mike Ambersley gave the visitors a surprising lead, opening the scoring after 63 minutes. Brian Shriver restored parity from the penalty spot, but Daniel Antoniuk ensured a memorable away victory for the Rowdies with a winner in the 85^th minute, meeting a pinpoint cross from substitute Evans Frimpong with an unstoppable header. The result means the Rowdies hold a 2-1 aggregate lead heading into the second leg on home turf.

Saturday’s match is a must win for the RailHawks.  A win by 2 or more goals will punch the RailHawks ticket into the NASL Championship Series. A win by 1 goal would send the teams into overtime with two 15-minute periods. If the aggregate score continues to be tied at the end of the two overtime periods, the winner will be determined by a penalty shootout. Any tie or Tampa Bay win will send the Rowdies into the NASL Championship Series.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Carolina RailHawks

Saturday, October 13, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Al Lang Stadium

St. Petersburg, FL

Webcast: NASL on ustream

Semifinal Series: Tampa Bay leads 2-1 on aggregate

2012 Series:  Tied, 0-4-0, 4 points

2011 Series:  Carolina, 4-0-0, 12 points

                                               Tampa Bay                          Carolina

Head Coach                        Ricky Hill                              Colin Clarke

2012 Records                     2^nd: 12-9-7, 45 points      4^th: 9-8-8, 35 points

Last Five Games               T W T T W                            W T T WL

Goals Leader                     Daniel Antoniuk (7)            Nick Zimmerman (15)

Assists Leader                 Mike Ambersley (8)            Mike Palacio (6)               

Tampa Bay

• Carry a 2-1 aggregate into their home match
• Last week's victory was the club's first win against Carolina since May 14, 2010
• Unbeaten in last seven matches
• Suspended: None
• At risk: None

Carolina

• Outshot the Rowdies 17 to 9 in the first leg
• First loss to Tampa Bay in last ten meetings
• First loss in last six matches
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Floyd Franks, Amir Lowery (two yellows). Three yellows in the playoffs results in a one game suspension.