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The RailHawks extended their NASL lead to seven points with a 3-0 win tonight in Cary over the Puerto Rico Islanders, before 3,498 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. Etienne Barbara scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season, extending his streak of scoring goals to eight consecutive games. Pablo Campos scored Carolina's third goal of the evening with Etienne contributing the assist. The RailHawks unbeatean streak now stands at seven games.

“We knew it was a big game,” said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie, who has the club off to its best start in club history (6-1-1, 18 points). “A lot of people were questioning us after the first game we lost this season. Puerto Rico are a very strong team and are always going to be one of our biggest rivals. We had to work really hard for it. We took our chances … I was really pleased with that. And getting a clean sheet was a big, big thing for us.”

Barbara scored goals in the 26th and 53rd minutes, upping his season total to 11. It was his second straight two-goal game and third of the year. He also assisted on Pablo Campos’ 67th-minute goal, giving him a staggering 25 points in just eight games.

“I have to thank all my teammates, and my coach for preparing me,” Barbara said. “As long as the team keeps playing like this and creating chances, I’m going to keep scoring.”

While Barbara has given the RailHawks a scoring threat the likes of which they’ve never seen, Rennie noted that isn’t his only contribution to the team.

“The biggest thing is he’s scoring goals,” Rennie said. “The second biggest thing is he’s working for the team. That’s different from how he was last season. He’s really working for the team and setting an example. And that means the whole team has to work. If the guy who’s scoring goals is working, that means everybody else follows. And I’m really pleased about that.”

MATCH SUMMARY

LINEUPS

PRI: GK Richard Martin, D Richard Martinez, D Jay Needham, D Logan Emory, D Kevon Villaroel, M Osei Telesford (Jarad Van Schaik, 64th), M Aaron Pitchkolan, M Joseph Salem (Leonardo Ly 84th), M Noah Delgado, F Jonathan Fana (Matt Bouraee, 64th), F David Foley

CAR: GK Brad Knighton, D Kupono Low, D Brad Rusin, D John Krause, D Devon McKenney (Cory Elenio, 86th) M Floyd Franks, M Chris Nurse, M Jonny Steele, F Pablo Campos, F Etienne Barbara, F Nick Zimmerman (Brian Farber, 72nd)

SCORING SUMMARY
CAR: Etienne Barbara (Jonny Steele), 26th
CAR: Etienne Barbara (Pablo Campos), 53rd
CAR: Pablo Campos (Etienne Barbara), 67th

CAUTIONS
CAR: John Krause, 6th; Devon McKenney, 66th; Kupono Low, 78th
PR: Noah Delgado, 58th; Aaron Pitchkolan, 67th

SHOTS
PRI: 8
CAR: 10

FOULS
PRI: 6
CAR: 8

ATTENDANCE: 3,498