The Carolina RailHawks (0-4-4, 4 points) travelled to Minnesota to play against 2nd-place Stars FC (3-3-0, 12 points) on Saturday. The Stars won the match 2-1 with goals by Amani Walker and Kevin Venegas. The RailHawks controlled the ball for much of the game and had several scoring chances but were unable to score until the 90^th minute when Austin Da Luz cut the lead to one goal.

Agbossoumonde made his first start of the season for the RailHawks after dealing with a turf-toe injury since preseason. Also returning to the starting lineup was rookie King. He started the first five matches of the season before missing the last two matches with a sprained ankle.

The first half started with a struggle for the midfield. In the 16^th minute of play Stars’ forward Amani Walker received a pass from Takada and took a shot after Burse challenged the possession but was unable to control the ball. Walker’s effort gave the Stars a 1-0 lead over the RailHawks. After the goal, the RailHawks dominated the entire half, earning four corner kicks and having several shots blocked and saved by the goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.

The second half was a continuation of the RailHawks first half attacks. Minnesota found the second goal of the game in the 53^nd minute on a breakaway when Venegas took a shot from outside the box to put it past Burse. Former RailHawks Nunez had the assist on the play. Following the goal, the RailHawks went on the offensive again but they were unable to find a goal until the 90^th minute when Austin Da Luz scored his first goal of the season.   

The RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park on May 19^th to face the Puerto Rico Islanders at 7:00 PM ET. On Tuesday, May 22^nd, the RailHawks will enter the U.S. Open Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park against the winner of the Portland Timbers U-23’s and PSA Elite, the Region IV (USASA) Champion. Kickoff for the match is set at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the matches can be purchased online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.comor by calling the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144.

LINEUPS

CAR: GK Burse, D Elenio, D King, D Agbossoumonde, D Low (c), M Lowery, M Nurse, M Zimmerman, M Shipalane (Da Luz, 68) M Shriver, F Schilawski (Ackley, 55)

MIN: GK Van Oekel, D Davis, D Días, D Kallman, D Tchoupe, M Hlavaty (Wasson, 88), M Takada, M Nunez (Braccalello, 77), M Venegas, F Ibarra, F Walker

GOALS

CAR: Da Luz (Nurse), 90;

MIN: Walker (Takada), 16; Venegas (Nuñez), 53;

CAUTIONS

CAR: Agbossoumonde, 61;  

MIN:

SHOTS

CAR: 8

MIN: 10

SAVES

CAR: 1

MIN: 4