The Carolina RailHawks (10W-10T-8L, 40 pts.) closed out the 2012 NASL Regular Season in front of 7,310 fans this past Saturday night, securing fourth place in the league standings.  With the regular season in the books, the RailHawks will host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in a Quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, September 29^th at 7:00pm at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Quarterfinal Round playoff match will be a single game with the winner advancing to the Semifinal series.  If the game is tied after 90 minutes, teams will play two 15-minute overtime periods and then proceed to penalty kicks, if necessary.

Tickets for Saturday night’s playoff match are currently on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Cruizers Box Office at WakeMed Soccer Park, online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com, or by calling 919-459-8144.  RailHawks Playoff tickets will continue at regular season pricing, starting as low as $10.

The RailHawks finished off the regular season unbeaten over their last four matches, including a 2-1 victory at league-leading San Antonio.  Finishing the regular season with four games in 11 days, that included travel to Edmonton, San Antonio, and Tampa Bay, the well-traveled RailHawks secured the home field advantage for the September 29^th playoff match and a victory on Saturday would mean a quick turn around with a Semifinal match hosted at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, October 6^th.

THE OPPONENT

The RailHawks will face a familiar foe in the fifth-place Fort Lauderdale Strikers.  Fans, will be in for an exciting match, with the two matches between the clubs played at WakeMed Soccer Park resulting in two 3-3 draws.  Fort Lauderdale enters the playoffs with 0 wins, 2 ties, and 2 losses in the month of September.  Mark Anderson and Andy Herron lead the Strikers attack with 11 goals and 8 goals, respectively.

PLAYOFF FORMAT

In 2012, six teams will qualify for the NASL Playoffs. The regular season champion and the second-place team will receive a Quarterfinal round bye. The Quarterfinal round will be a single match, hosted by the higher seed. The Semifinal and Final rounds will be a two-match home and home series with the winner determined on aggregate goals.  In the event overtime is required, teams will play two 15 minute overtime periods and then proceed to penalty kicks, if necessary.

Match Details

Carolina RailHawks (4^th) vs Fort Lauderdale Stikers (5^th)

2012 NASL Playoffs – Quarterfinal Round

WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC

Kickoff:           7:00pm

Gates Open:    6:00pm

Parking Lot:    4:30pm