The Atlanta Silverbacks beat the Carolina RailHawks 2-0 tonight at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. The Silverbacks preserved their undefeated season, improving their record to 2-0-2. The Silverbacks tied the RailHawks 0-0 last Saturday after playing back-to-back on Friday and Saturday night. Tonight, fresh legs and a desire to defend their home turf helped the Silverbacks defeat the RailHawks.
“The tables were turned this week as far as travel schedule and we took advantage of their lack of rest. I felt we controlled the tempo for most of the match. I’m happy to get the three points,” commented Head Coach Jason Smith.
Goalkeeper Felipe Quintero set the tone in the 12th minute when he made an amazing save in a one-on-one with Carolina’s dangerous forward, Connally Edozien. The rest of the Silverbacks followed suit with Atlanta dominating the 50-50 balls and combining incredibly well all over the field. The Silverbacks took the lead in the 18th minute when David Hayes converted a penalty kick. Rodrigo Rios played a short corner kick to Justin Moore, Moore was taken down in the penalty box during the play and Hayes converted the ensuing PK. The left-footed Hayes beat Carolina’s goalkeeper, Chris McLellan, to his right side. Carolina had a few dangerous free kicks from just outside the box in the first half, but the team was unable to convert. The half ended with a 1-0 lead in favor of the Silverbacks.
The Silverbacks doubled their lead in the second half with a goal by Atlanta-native Justin Moore. Rios made a breakaway towards the goal in the 48th minute and laid the ball off to Moore, Moore calmly finished the play for his first goal of the season. The Silverbacks held onto the lead and the game ended with a second win for the home team.
The Silverbacks’ next game is Saturday, May 12 against the Carolina RailHawks at 7:55 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. The first 1,000 fans to the match will receive Silverbacks Thunderstix. For ticket information call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.
Atlanta’s starters: Felipe Quintero, Matt Bobo, Omar Jarun (Tweety Walters – 86), David Hayes, Tony McManus, Scott Buete, Angel Rivillo (Dayton O’Brien – 79), Rodrigo Rios (Luis Liendo – 90), Justin Moore (John Queeley – 90), Daniel Antoniuk, Machel Millwood (Warren Ukah – 70).
Goals: Hayes – 18 (PK); Moore – 48 (Rios)
Cautions: Antoniuk – 72; Rivillo – 75
Carolina’s starters: Chris McClellan, David Stokes, Caleb Norkus, Chad Dombrowski, Frankie Sanfilippo, Kupono Low, Stuart Brightwell (Brose – 59), Chris Carrieri (Fusilier – 63), Joey Worthen (Liete – 82), McColm Cephas (Maher – 45), Connally Edozien (Long – 45).
Goals:
Cautions: Dombrowski – 37; Norkus – 56; Brose - 71
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