MIAMI, Fla April 9, 2012 – The North American Soccer League has announced that Carolina RailHawks goalkeeper Ray Burse has been named Defensive Player of the Week for April 3-9.  Burse rose to the occasion with 7 saves, including several spectacular efforts, and helped secure the shutout against defending NASL Champion Minnesota Stars in the Champions Challenge.  The match, played before 8,693 fans in the Minneapolis Metrodome, pitted the NASL 2011 Regular Season Champion RailHawks against the NASL 2011 Champion Stars.

This is the 2nd NASL Defensive Player of the Week award for Burse, who last won the award in August 2011.  The 28-year old Burse joined the RailHawks in the offseason after playing last season with the Puerto Rico Islanders under head coach Colin Clarke, who has now moved to Carolina.  Burse also featured for Clarke with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer in 2006.