RailHawks slip by Richmond 1-0
Source: Carolina RailHawks News Release
Joel Bailey moves the ball up fieldCARY, NC -- Over 2,900 fans came out to SAS Soccer Park to witness the Carolina RailHawks make history as they defeated the Richmond side to advance to the semifinals of the US Open Cup tournament. The final score was 1-0 with a goal by Connally Edozien assisted by Jonny Steele in the 64th minute.
Newcomer Joel Bailey helped set up the game-winner. Richmond started out strong as most of the first half was played in front of Chris McClellan’s goal. Mike Burke shot a rocket towards the Carolina goal easily saved by McClellan in the 9th minute. Chris Carrieri responded immediately with a 1-2 play with Joel Bailey that ended up high.
The first scare for the RailHawks arrived in the 32nd minute when Sascha Gorres took a shot that was deflected into a corner. The subsequent shot found McClellan out of position but Carrieri saved it right on the line with a header.
The second half saw a resurgence of the RailHawks, who showed their resilience and started to lay siege to Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascale’s goal. Chris Carrieri shot a rocket just to the right of the goal post in the 50th minute and the Kickers countered with Matt Watson who went one-on-one with Chris McClellan only to see the Carolina goalie slide down for the save.
“I think we dominated for long periods of time,” said Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw. “We had better chances and many one-on-one plays and lost all of them. We then made a foolish mistake and paid for it.”
The mistake came in the 64th minute when Jonny Steele picked up a ball from Kickers’ Mike Burke. Steele passed it to Joel Bailey who touched it right back to him. Steele then saw Connally Edozien on the other side of the box and crossed the ball over for him to calmly put it in the back of the net as Pascale charged out to challenge the play, putting the Railhawks up 1-0.
Carolina continued to search for the insurance tally with Steele, who tried to blast a rocket from 25 yards out both in the 68th and in the 79th minute. The score, however, was to remain the same with the RailHawks advancing to the semifinal round of the US Open Cup.
Carolina now will face the winner of the match between USL-2 side, the Harrisburg City Islanders and the New England Revolution of the MLS, hosting the City Islanders should they upset the MLS club.
"It was very hard on us," said RailHawks head coach Scott Schweitzer. "The Kickers got organized quickly with (Matt) Watson as a high sweeper and got dangerous at times. We played well and were able to advance."
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