CARY, N.C. – Carolina RailHawks forward Etienne Barbara has been named the NASL Player of the Month for April, the league announced Thursday.                                                                                                                          

Barbara has scored four goals in the RailHawks’ first four games, and he is tied with Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Faña for the NASL lead.

“It’s a great honor for Etienne and everyone with the team,” said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. “He’ll be the first player in the NASL to get that award, so it’s great for him. It’s well deserved. Four goals in four games is quite a feat at any level of soccer, and he’s playing at a very high level. I hope he can continue to do that.”

Barbara has scored four goals on 10 shots in 254 minutes played so far this season. He has accounted for all but two of the RailHawks’ six goals this season and has helped the club get off to a 2-1-1 start. Entering this Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay, the RailHawks are second in the NASL table with seven points, three behind leader Puerto Rico.

Eighteen media members from NASL markets cast ballots for Player of the Month, with a first-place vote worth two points and a second-place vote worth one. Barbara was listed on 15 ballots, with nine first-place votes, for a total of 23 points.  Faña was second with 19 points, Tampa Bay goalkeeper Darryl Sattler third with nine points and Atlanta defender Mario Pérez fourth with one point.

“It’s a great honor for me to receive this award,” Barbara said.  “Being my second season and playing in Malta I was able to come into the season prepared mentally and physically.  I want to say thanks to the coaches and players because I cannot perform without them and they help me get better every day.  Now we will do our best to continue and improve.”

Barbara and the RailHawks are back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Florida to meet FC Tampa Bay at Al Lang Stadium at 7 p.m. They return to WakeMed Soccer Park next week, when they will host the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers on Wednesday at 7 p.m.