CARY, N.C. – The Carolina RailHawks suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota in their regular-season finale Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park.

After a scoreless first half, the teams traded three goals in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Kyle Altman put the Stars (9-9-10) up 1-0 on a 48th-minute penalty kick.

The RailHawks (17-3-8) answered two minutes later. Jonny Steele sprung Pablo Campos free through the middle of the field. Campos beat a pair of Minnesota defenders to the ball, and touched it around Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren and into the empty net.

Two minutes later, the Stars came right back. Brian Cvilikas finished off of a counterattack to put the Stars ahead 2-1.

The win for Minnesota gives the Stars the No. 6 seed in the NASL Playoffs.

The NASL Regular Season Champion RailHawks have a first-round bye in the Playoffs. They’ll learn their opponent after next weekend’s quarterfinals. They’ll begin the semifinals on Oct. 8. The second leg will be at WakeMed Soccer Park on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

MINNESOTA 2, CAROLINA 1

LINEUPS

MIN: GK Joe Warren, D Justin Davis, D Cristiano Dias, D Brian Kallman, D Kyle Altman, M Andrei Gotsmanov (Neil Hlavaty, 54), M Kentaro Takada, M Jeff Cosgriff, M Lucas Rodriguez (Anthony Hamilton, 90), F Brian Cvilikas, F Luke Mullholland
CAR: GK Brad Knighton, D Devon McKenney, D Kupono Low, D Gareth Evans, D Tyler Lassiter, M Floyd Franks (Allan Russell, 76), M Matt Watson, M Jonny Steele (Cory Elenio, 87), M Nick Zimmerman (Brian Farber, 73), F Pablo Campos, F Etienne Barbara 

SCORING SUMMARY

MIN: Kyle Altman, 48 (PK)
CAR: Pablo Campos (Jonny Steele), 50
MIN: Brian Cvilikas (Lucas Rodriguez), 52

CAUTIONS

MIN: Jeff Cosgriff, 81
CAR: Nick Zimmerman, 30; Kupono Low, 65

SHOTS

MIN: 14
CAR: 11

FOULS

MIN: 9
CAR: 16

Attendance: 6,234