Wednesday, Oct. 05, 2011

Stars are in RailHawks' path again

NSC Minnesota was the only team Carolina didn't beat this year

The NSC Minnesota Stars are the lowest-seeded team in the North American Soccer League playoffs. Yet that doesn't mean the top-seeded Carolina RailHawks are pleased to be facing the Stars in the semifinals, which will be played over the next two Saturdays.

Minnesota is the only NASL team that the RailHawks (17-8-3) did not defeat. Carolina went 0-2-2 against the Stars, including a 2-1 loss in the season final more than a week ago.

That win put the Stars into the playoffs.

"There is a lot to be positive about and it's up to us to find those goals again and that winning feeling again," coach Martin Rennie said. "I'm confident we can do it. You'll be surprised."

The NASL playoff format for the semifinals and finals includes one home game and one road game for each side. The team with the most total goals at the end of the two matches wins the series.

If the two sides are still tied, a 30-minute overtime period will be played until completion. If neither team leads, the series will be decided by penalty kicks.

The RailHawks hit the road for the first leg this Saturday. The game, which begins at 7:30 p.m., can be viewed online on the team's website.

The RailHawks hope to be tied or ahead when they return for the second leg on Oct. 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

But the team ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak.

"I believe in these guys and I believe that they're going to find it for the playoffs," Rennie said. "There's something about them that when they want to turn it on, they can do it."

Although the Stars have been like kryptonite for the RailHawks this year, Carolina's first-ever postseason win was notched last year against Minnesota.

In the other semifinal, No. 2 Puerto Rico will play the No. 4 Ft. Lauderdale Strikers.