News

Seventh place Carolina RailHawks host NASL leaders the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. The RailHawks are still looking for their first league victory in 2012, while the Islanders have lost just once this season, a 3-2 defeat to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on April 25^th. The match is also the first meeting for RailHawks coach Colin Clarke against his former side the Islanders since becoming the RailHawks boss in the offseason.

Despite being winless in the league, the RailHawks are coming into the match off of a huge victory against the defending MLS Champions, the LA Galaxy, in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. After falling behind to a first-half Galaxy goal, RailHawks’ substitute Ty Shipalane scored the equalizer before setting up Brian Shriver for the game-winning goal in the 88^th minute of the match in front of an at-capacity crowd at WakeMed.

In the last match between the two sides on May 19^th, RailHawks’ forward Brian Shriver cancelled out an earlier striker by Islanders’ star Jonathan Faña to secure a 1-1 draw and a vital home point for Carolina.

Carolina RailHawks vs. Puerto Rico Islanders

Saturday, June 2, 2012— 7:00 P.M. EDT

WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Islanders, 1-1-0

2011 Series:  Islanders, 3-0-1

                                                Carolina                               Puerto Rico

Head Coach                        Colin Clarke                        Adrian Whitbread

2012 Records                     0-5-4, 5pts                           5-2-1, 17pts

Last Five Games                 L D L L D                             W L W W D                         

Goals Leader                       Brian Shriver (4)                 David Foley (5)

                                                Nick Zimmerman (4)

Assists Leader                    Six players with (1)            Jonathan Faña (3)

QUICK FACTS

Carolina

• Brian Shriver and Nick Zimmerman are tied for third in the league for goals scored with four each.
• The RailHawks haven’t won a regular season home match in four attempts this season.
• Goalkeeper Ray Burse and the RailHawks have conceded an average of 2.00 goals against per game this season.

Puerto Rico

• The Islanders have scored more goals than any other NASL team this season with 16 goals from eight games.
• Goalkeeper Richard Martin and the Islanders have conceded fewer goals than any other NASL team this season with just five goals against.
• The Islanders have picked up the second-most yellow cards in the league with 19.