RECAP | RailHawks 1, Strikers 0

Photo Credit: Jon van Woerden

The Carolina RailHawks won their first road game of the NASL Spring Season against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers by a score of 1-0 at Lockhart Stadium. It was the RailHawks’ first ever victory in Fort Lauderdale. The win was also Colin Clarke's 50th in the Modern Era, becoming the first coach to reahc that mark.

“We came on the road and showed a lot of character and fight,” RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke. “It was the first clean sheet of the season. I think it will do the world for our confidence and our overall psyche.”

The game opened with back-and-forth play between the two teams with very few scoring opportunities. As the half wore on, the Strikers’ attack picked up. Carolina’s defense rose to the occasion and consistently prevented chances from the opposition.

Connor Tobin executed solid defensive plays including a sliding challenge that extinguished a potential goal. Loanee goalkeeper and former RailHawks player Akira Fitzgerald made his presence known with a handful of fantastic saves to keep the game locked at 0-0.

Despite Fort Lauderdale’s persistent pressure, the RailHawks (2W-4D-2L, 10 points) mustered a late offensive push. Nacho Novo backheeled a pass to Tiyi Shipalane, who finished into the corner of the net for his third goal of the year. Shipalane continued to create plays throughout the match with unrivaled skill to further his stellar season.

Neither team let up in the second half and, as a result, the scoring chances increased. Fort Lauderdale (2W-2D-4L, 7 points) especially kept up their attack to create many, but Fitzgerald dealt with everything thrown at him. 

In the 81st minute, he extended his body across the goal line for a diving save. A couple minutes later, the goalkeeper leapt up with a quick reflex save that fended away a ball that was nearly in the net. The Strikers were granted one final chance at the end of stoppage time with a long free kick, but Fitzgerald absorbed the ball and the RailHawks’ first clean sheet of the season was preserved.