The Carolina RailHawks (10W-8T-8L, 38 pts.) defeated the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions (13W-7T-6L, 46 pts.) 2-1 in Texas with goals by Gale Agbossoumonde and Ty Shipalane.  RailHawks midfielder Floyd Franks assisted on both goals and Akira Fitzgerald recorded 9 saves in leading the RailHawks to victory. Pablo Campos scored for San Antonio in the 64th minute to tie the game 1-1 before Shipalane’s game winner in the 69th minute.

With the win the RailHawks are now three points ahead of fifth-place Fort Lauderdale for the right to host a Quarterfinal playoff match.  Two games against second-place Tampa Bay Rowdies await on Wednesday and Saturday night to close out the regular season.  With two victories against Tampa Bay the RailHawks can climb to second-place in the league standings and earn a bye into the Semifinal round on the NASL Playoffs.

“This was a key win for the team.  It’s important to get our first win against San Antonio,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We are building momentum, moving in the right direction and now we have two games to finish out the regular season.”

The first half featured both teams attacking, searching for the games first goal. The RailHawks used counterattacks and pressure on the San Antonio backline to force turnovers. Several intercepted passes were able to lead to RailHawks opportunities on goal. Fitzgerald, who made 4 key saves in the half, kept San Antonio’ offense off the scoreboard, including a 1-on-1 breakaway save against Campos. Despite two injury substitutions in the first half the RailHawks would jump ahead when Agbossoumonde headed in a free kick with great service from Franks. The 1-0 lead was the first goal scored by the RailHawks against the Scorpions.

San Antonio equalized the match in the 64th minute when Campos received a pass from Jeff Cunningham and was able to slip the ball past Fitzgerald. The RailHawks were quick to react and after a couple of missed opportunities Shipalane would prove to tally yet another game winner.  Shipalane ran onto a through-ball from Franks and was quick to dribble past San Antonio goalkeeper Daryl Sattler and finish into the empty net.

Following a midweek game in Tampa Bay, the RailHawks will close out the 2012 NASL Regular Season against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, September 22nd at WakeMed Soccer Park.  As tradition, the final regular season match will be Fan Appreciation night and team awards will be handed out pregame.  To purchase tickets for the regular season finale or 2013 Season Tickets visit our site at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For more information about upcoming games, possible playoff matches, and 2013 Season Tickets in the all-new WakeMed Soccer Park, contact the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144 or by email at tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.

LINEUPS

CAR: GK Fitzgerald, D Graye, D Stockley (Agbossoumonde, 34), D King, D Low (c), M Elenio, M Lowery, M Franks, M Shipalane (Sassano, 83), F Schilawski (Garey, 22), F Shriver

SAS: GK Sattler, D Cochrane, D Janicki, D Wagner, D Knight, M Ramirez (Soto, 46), M Greenfield, M Pitchkolan, M Campos, F Bayona (Cunningham, 60), F Denissen (Saavedra, 71)

GOALS

CAR: Agbossoumonde (Franks), 42; Shipalane (Franks), 69

SAS: Campos (Cunningham), 64;

CAUTIONS

CAR:

SAS: Greenfield, 41; Campos, 64;

SHOTS

CAR: 11

SAS: 18

SAVES

CAR: 9

SAS: 3