RECAP | RailHawks 3, Armada FC 0
The Carolina RailHawks dominated at home with a 3-0 victory over Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. The RailHawks victory earned the team three valuable points toward their postseason push.
“We put it to bed tonight. Lots of positives. It was a great and exciting game for the fans to watch,” RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke said. “It was a great performance with a couple of great goals.”
The RailHawks immediately took control of the match and nearly seized the lead in the 9th minute. Tiyi Shipalane unleashed a shot that rebounded off of Jacksonville goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo, but Daniel Jackson’s follow-up shot curled wide. Two minutes later, Shipalane again found a great opportunity in front of goal, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
The RailHawks finally struck in the 35th minute after a cross from Nazmi Albadawi found the foot of Shipalane near the top of the box. Shipalane blasted a hard, low-driven shot into the corner of the goal to give the RailHawks the lead. An Alhassane Keita breakaway in the 38th minute almost evened the score for Jacksonville Armada FC, but RailHawks 'keeper Akira Fitzgerald left his line and made a brilliant save to preserve the lead.
The RailHawks sustained their relentless pressure and took a 2-0 lead in the 42nd minute. Jackson slipped a ball into a streaking Albadawi, who found the back of the net. Jackson was credited with the assist in his first match back with the team.
The RailHawks continued to outpace Jacksonville in the second half. Shipalane broke free in the 64th minute and looked to give the RailHawks a three-goal lead, but Gallardo stifled his shot. Gallardo made a save in the 68th minute by denying a clear look on goal by Jackson. Albadawi broke through Gallardo and scored his second goal of the match in the 90th minute, cementing a 3-0 victory for the RailHawks.
Alex Pérez and Steven Miller made their debuts with the RailHawks, while Akira Fitzgerald recorded his second shutout of the Fall Season.
