Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2011

RailHawks can't find net again

For a long time, it appeared if the RailHawks had any deficiency, it was the team's back line - which was often prone to mental mistakes and set back by injuries.

But with one game left in the regular season, the team that scored 49 goals in its first 24 games can't seem to find the net. Or even threaten it.

Carolina (17-7-3) suffered its third straight 1-0 defeat on Saturday, this time against the host Puerto Rico Islanders (14-6-7).

The RailHawks have two of the top four goal scorers in the North American Soccer League with Etienne Barbara (20 goals), who also leads the league with eight assists, and Pablo Campos (11). Yet Carolina had just four shots against Puerto Rico on Saturday, which continues a disturbing trend: The RailHawks have taken four or fewer shots in each of its last three games.

Even with the NASL regular-season locked up, coach Martin Rennie has been playing the team's usual starters.

"It was a frustrating night for us," said Rennie in a statement.

"In the first half, we played pretty well. We had lots of possession and we were never in trouble, but we didn't find our rhythm in the final third. We just missed our chances in the first half. In the second half, we continued to have lot of the ball, but we didn't create enough chances. When we did, their goalkeeper made some very good saves."

Puerto Rico's Petter Villegas scored the game's only goal in the 57th minute by capitalizing on the RailHawks miscommunication in the back line.

Villaroel played a ball in from the left side of the field. Carolina goalkeeper Brad Knighton charged off his line and defender Tyler Lassiter closed in, with Villegas also racing toward the ball. As it came across the six-yard box, both RailHawks pulled away from the ball, allowing it to hit Villegas in stride. He tucked it into the open net with ease.

The RailHawks nearly got on the board in the eighth minute, but Matt Watson's centering pass was just out of reach for Campos.

In the 14th minute, Barbara's blast from 25 yards was tipped over the crossbar by Puerto Rico goalkeeper Ray Burse.

In the 65th minute, Burse again saved a Barbara try from 18 yards out, and he also made a save against Barbara one last time with a kick save in the 77th minute.

Knighton recorded four saves, which gave him the team record for most saves in a season (110).

He made a sprawling save on Villegas' attempt from 20 yards away in the 51st minute and denied Jared Van Schaik on a breakaway shot in the 74th.

The team plays its season finale Saturday against NSC Minnesota. It will be fan appreciation night at WakeMed Soccer Park.