The Carolina RailHawks defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Sunday afternoon in a penalty kick shootout. The match finished 2-2 in regular time and the RailHawks secured the win 4-2 in PK’s. The RailHawks faced off against MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the 4th Annual Hilton Garden Inn Community Shield Match at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The RailHawks struck first in the 6th minute when a Nick Zimmerman corner was flickd on by Brian Ackley and found Amir Lowery open to head in the go-ahead goal. After the opening goal, Vancouver increased their defensive pressure hoping to create scoring opportunities. Akira Fitzgerald made his first start for the RailHawks and was able to keep the ball out of the back of the net with ease.
In the 49th minute Davide Chiumiento delivered a cross that Long Tan placed a precision header past Fitzgerald. Over the next several minutes Fitzgerald displayed his skill on two impressive saves from former RailHawks player Matt Watson and Chiumiento to keep the game level at 1-1.
In the 71st minute Brian Shriver finished a rebound after some great work by Nick Zimmerman that resulted in a rebound in front of the goal. The goal was scored during Planet Smoothie’s magic minute resulting in every fan in attendance receiving a free 20 oz. smoothie with their game ticket. In the 90th minute Chiumiento scored the equalizer to force the penalty shootout.
During the shootout, Fitzgerald came up big with a stop on the third penalty kick. Ty Shipalane calmly stepped up as the fourth RailHawks kicker and converted the penalty kick for the win. Sam Stockley, Tommy Drake, Cory Miller, and Shipalane all converted their penalty kicks for the RailHawks.
“Today I saw a team that is obviously less than two weeks into preseason, but a team that did very well, showed a lot of promise,” said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We had great performances by young, inexperienced kids. We have a lot to build on, a lot to work on but overall I’m very pleased with today’s match.”
The Carolina RailHawks will continue with preseason to prepare for the 2012 NASL season opener in Minnesota on April 7th and the home opener against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday April 14th at 7:00 PM. Season Tickets and individual tickets are on sale and available at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For more information on RailHawks tickets and game details call the Cruizers box office at (919) 459-8144 or e-mail tickets@carolinarailhawks.com.
Carolina RailHawks
GK Akira Fitzgerald, D Justin Willis (Jordan Graye, 65th) D Cory Miller, D Austen King, D Kupono Low (Sam Stockley, 90th), M Amir Lowery, M Nick Zimmerman (Ty Shipalane, 72nd), M Michael Palacio (Tommy Drake, 45th), M Federico (Andre McCreath, 45th), F Brian Shriver (Kithson Bain, 83rd), F Brian Ackley (Craig Dargo, 83rd)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
GK Brad Knighton, D Greg Klazura, D Jordan Harvey, D Michael Boxall, D Carlyle Mitchell, M Matt Watson, M Bryce Alderson, M Russell Tiebert (Omar Salgado, 71st), M Davide Chiumiento, F Sebastian LeToux, F Long Tan
The Carolina RailHawks defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Sunday afternoon in a penalty kick shootout. The match finished 2-2 in regular time and the RailHawks secured the win 4-2 in PK’s. The RailHawks faced off against MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the 4th Annual Hilton Garden Inn Community Shield Match at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The RailHawks struck first in the 6th minute when a Nick Zimmerman corner was flickd on by Brian Ackley and found Amir Lowery open to head in the go-ahead goal. After the opening goal, Vancouver increased their defensive pressure hoping to create scoring opportunities. Akira Fitzgerald made his first start for the RailHawks and was able to keep the ball out of the back of the net with ease.
In the 49th minute Davide Chiumiento delivered a cross that Long Tan placed a precision header past Fitzgerald. Over the next several minutes Fitzgerald displayed his skill on two impressive saves from former RailHawks player Matt Watson and Chiumiento to keep the game level at 1-1.
In the 71st minute Brian Shriver finished a rebound after some great work by Nick Zimmerman that resulted in a rebound in front of the goal. The goal was scored during Planet Smoothie’s magic minute resulting in every fan in attendance receiving a free 20 oz. smoothie with their game ticket. In the 90th minute Chiumiento scored the equalizer to force the penalty shootout.
During the shootout, Fitzgerald came up big with a stop on the third penalty kick. Ty Shipalane calmly stepped up as the fourth RailHawks kicker and converted the penalty kick for the win. Sam Stockley, Tommy Drake, Cory Miller, and Shipalane all converted their penalty kicks for the RailHawks.
“Today I saw a team that is obviously less than two weeks into preseason, but a team that did very well, showed a lot of promise,” said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We had great performances by young, inexperienced kids. We have a lot to build on, a lot to work on but overall I’m very pleased with today’s match.”
The Carolina RailHawks will continue with preseason to prepare for the 2012 NASL season opener in Minnesota on April 7th and the home opener against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday April 14th at 7:00 PM. Season Tickets and individual tickets are on sale and available at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For more information on RailHawks tickets and game details call the Cruizers box office at (919) 459-8144 or e-mail tickets@carolinarailhawks.com.
Carolina RailHawks
GK Akira Fitzgerald, D Justin Willis (Jordan Graye, 65th) D Cory Miller, D Austen King, D Kupono Low (Sam Stockley, 90th), M Amir Lowery, M Nick Zimmerman (Ty Shipalane, 72nd), M Michael Palacio (Tommy Drake, 45th), M Federico (Andre McCreath, 45th), F Brian Shriver (Kithson Bain, 83rd), F Brian Ackley (Craig Dargo, 83rd)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
GK Brad Knighton, D Greg Klazura, D Jordan Harvey, D Michael Boxall, D Carlyle Mitchell, M Matt Watson, M Bryce Alderson, M Russell Tiebert (Omar Salgado, 71st), M Davide Chiumiento, F Sebastian LeToux, F Long Tan
