The Carolina RailHawks women (1-0-0) are all set to make history with their home opener against the Atlanta Silverbacks (1-0-0) on Friday, May 16th at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park...
Match at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:30 PM will be broadcast on USLLive.com
The Carolina RailHawks women (1-0-0) are all set to make history with their home opener against the Atlanta Silverbacks (1-0-0) on Friday, May 16th at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match is presented by Regions Bank and tickets ($10, $15 and $20) are available by calling the LGFCU Box Office at 919-859-KICK (5425). The Carolina RailHawks Women home opener will also be broadcast on www.USLlive.com.
The RailHawks enter the match after a 7-0 win against the US Armed Forces Women’s Soccer team who is in the area preparing for the Military World Cup in the Netherlands at the end of the month. On Friday night soccer fans will be treated to a phenomenal show of speed and excitement as the RailHawks bring competitive women’s soccer back to the Triangle. NCSU forward Lindsay Vera, UGA standout Carrie Patterson alongside UNC’s Betsy Frederick, Anna Rodenbough and Sterling Smith will be joining RailHawks Captain and former US Women’s National Team defender Thori Bryan in offering a fast paced, exciting match to soccer fans of all ages.
“Last night’s game was an opportunity to work together and build our match chemistry for Friday night against the Silverbacks,” said RailHawks Head Coach Jay Howell. “Atlanta is an excellent team who won their home opener. If you’re going to have a home opener you always want it to be against a competitive team to force your players to do well and to entertain the fans with a good brand of soccer. Friday night will be a very exciting event for us, for the fans and for women’s soccer in the Triangle.”
The Atlanta Silverbacks are a seasoned competitive team with several players who have enjoyed a successful career in the WUSA. They are led by Sarah Steinmann who scored two goals in their 3-1 home opener victory over the Hampton Roads Piranhas last Saturday, May 10th.
"We’re looking forward to playing at WakeMed Park,” said Silverbacks head Coach Tony Anglin. “It's a wonderful facility, and Carolina is a great club. Having looked at their roster, they are obviously stacked with talented players. I'm looking forward to a really competitive game."
The Carolina RailHawks Women will travel to Richmond, VA on Sunday, May 18th to face the Richmond Kickers Destiny at First Market Stadium at 6:00 PM. The Carolina RailHawks USL-1 Men’s team will host the Minnesota Thunder in a battle for the top positions in the standings at WakeMed Soccer Park on Sunday May 18th at 6:00 PM. Tickets ($10, $15 and $20) for this event are available at the LGFCU Box Office by calling 919-859-KICK (5425).
Notes
Schedule of Events
Doors Open at 6:00 PM
Kids Human Tunnel (meet at Northwest corner of the field by Building D at 7:15 PM)
Historic match with the return of women’s soccer to the Triangle
National Anthem will be sung by local talent Nikki Johnson of Holly Springs
Kick Off at 7:30 PM
Local Talent Showcase
Of the 23 women on the roster nine currently attend colleges in the Triangle. UNC’s Anna Rodenbough, Betsy Frederick, Sterling Smith, Mandy Moraca and Casey Nogueira, NC State’s Lindsay Vera and Duke’s Kelly Hathorn, Jane Alukonis and Kendall Bradley.
Player of the Week
Casey Nogueira was named Player of the Week for week one of the W-League season. Nogueira helped get the RailHawks off to a great start to their season by scoring one goal and adding one assist against neighboring rivals the Carolina Dynamo in their season opener.
2006 National Champs
All UNC students on the Carolina RailHawks roster are also members of the UNC-Chapel Hill team that took home the NCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship in 2006.
Notable Losses
Both UNC forwards Casey Nogueira and Mandy Moraca will not be available for Friday’s match. Moraca underwent knee surgery and is expected to make a speedy recovery and return to the pitch in a few weeks. Nogueira is participating in a United States U-20 National Team training camp at Clemson University in preparation for the U-20 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
The Return of Thori
2008 marks the return to competitive soccer of Thori Staples-Bryan, former NC State Defender who has enjoyed a prolific career in professional soccer with the San Jose Cyber Rays of WUSA, The Raleigh Wings of the W-League as well as 64 caps with the US National Team between 1993 and 2003. Thori is profiled on ESPN’s Soccernet.com and in the Cary News this week.
RailHawks Orange New Sponsor
The Carolina RailHawks Women will be wearing the same RailHawks orange jerseys as the men but with a new shirt sponsor exclusive to the women’s team. The RailHawks will be sporting jerseys bearing the Panera Bread logo who will be named the official jersey sponsor and caterer of the Carolina RailHawks Women’s Team on Friday.