RECAP | RailHawks 3, Scorpions 2

The Carolina RailHawks defeated the San Antonio Scorpions, 3-2, in an impressive display of soccer at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.

“It’s never easy, but we will take three points,” RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke said. “I thought we picked it up in the second half and did a great job of passing the ball to get the win at home.”

Both teams came out with aggressive play, creating opportunities in the first five minutes of the match. Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald made two saves to keep the Scorpions off the board. As the first half continued, the RailHawks defense stifled the Scorpions’ aggressive offense with several well-executed tackles from defender Daniel Scott.

In his first start of the Fall Season, forward Nacho Novo had a stunning first half performance. The Spanish legend sliced his way up the left side of the pitch and sent a brilliant cross to midfielder Neil Hlavaty in the 22nd minute. Hlavaty took the cross and ripped the ball home to give the RailHawks a 1-0 advantage. Just two minutes later, Novo controlled a rebound and rifled a shot past goalkeeper Daryl Sattler to stretch the lead to 2-0.

The Scorpions worked hard to respond and were finally able to get on the scoreboard with a goal from former RailHawks player César Elizondo in the 35th minute. As the half ended, the Scorpions stayed aggressive and searched for the equalizer, but the RailHawks’ defense did not allow another goal and went into the half with a 2-1 lead.

Novo added on to his masterful performance in the second half with another goal off a penalty kick in the 67th minute. This was Novo’s sixth goal of the season and is now tied for second in the NASL in goals scored with FC Edmonton’s Lance, Laing. The Scorpions added a penalty kick goal of their own in the 75th minute and nearly tied the match with a free kick in the 90th minute. However, the great free kick attempt was overshadowed by an amazing save from Akira Fitzgerald and the RailHawks picked up three points at home.