Scorpions Finish Road Trip Against Carolina RailHawks

First-place Scorpions look to clinch bye to NASL semifinals


SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 7, 2012) – The first-place San Antonio Scorpions (12W-7T-5L) continue their road trip against the Carolina RailHawks (9W-7T-7L) on Saturday, Sept. 8. Kickoff for the match is set for 6:00 p.m. CT at WakeMed Soccer Park.
 
The Scorpions, with 43 points, currently have a four-point edge over second-place Tampa Bay with just four regular season matches remaining. The Scorpions have a seven-point advantage over the Puerto Rico Islanders, and a San Antonio win paired with a Puerto Rico loss would ensure a first round playoff bye for the Scorpions.
 
Saturday’s match will be the third regular season meeting between the two teams this season. The Scorpions defeated the RailHawks twice this season, both times in historic fashion. San Antonio defeated Carolina on the road 1-0 for their first win in franchise history on Apr. 28. Three months later on July 28, the Scorpions defeated the RailHawks in an 8-0 rout at Heroes Stadium.
 
SCOUTING CAROLINA
 
Since the 8-0 loss to the Scorpions, the RailHawks have rebounded to become one of the hottest teams in the league, coming into this weekend’s match with a three-game winning streak.
 
The RailHawks lone home loss this season came at the hand of the Scorpions on Apr. 28. Overall, Carolina has a 6W-5T-1L record at home this season.
 
Scoring has been the strength of Carolina as of late, quietly becoming the team with the second-most goals scored in the league 39. Only the Scorpions have scored more this season. Nick Zimmerman leads the RailHawks with 13 goals, only trailing Scorpions forward Pablo Campos for the league lead.
 
On defense, however, Carolina has struggled to keep opposing teams off the scoreboard. The RailHawks have allowed 41 goals this season, the third-highest total in the NASL.
 
Ray Busre has been the main goalkeeper for the RailHawks this season, allowing 39 goals to go with his 1.86 goals against average.
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
The first-place San Antonio Scorpions overcame a second half deficit to earn a critical road point with a 1-1 draw against the Minnesota Stars FC on Saturday night as the Scorpions kicked off the final month of the regular season.
 
A second half goal by Hans Denissen helped the Scorpions earn a point and keep pace in the NASL standings.
 
Minnesota struck first in the 33rd minute when midfielder Miguel Ibarra delivered a cross in the box to forward Amani Walker, who delivered a sliding shot into the net to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.
 
But the Scorpions broke through in the 69th minute when midfielder Hans Denissen took a pass from Campos in the right side of the box, then cut back inside and curled a shot inside the far post past Matt VanOekel to tie the game.
 
HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN GLOVE
 
Scorpions goalkeeper Daryl Sattler leads the league with a 0.65 goals against average and could wind up winning the NASL Golden Glove, which is awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest GAA in the regular season.
 
In 20 starts this season, Sattler has only given up 13 goals and has recorded 12 shutouts so far this season.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
 
The Scorpions have proven to be one of the strongest road teams in the NASL season, and will look to close out their longest road trip of the season on a high note.
 
Away from home, San Antonio has earned more road points (17) and have won more road matches (4) than any other NASL side this season.
 
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER  
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the Scorpions lead the league in goals scored with 42.   
 
Scorpions forward Pablo Campos, a former RailHawk, leads the league with a league-high 18 goals and is the front-runner to win the NASL Golden Boot, which is awarded to the league’s leading goal scorer at the end of the regular season.
 
The Brazilian striker needs two goals to match former Carolina Railhawks teammate Etienne Barbara’s total from last year. Barbara won the NASL Golden Boot in 2011 with 20 goals.        
 
The last time Campos went up against his former team, he scored four goals against Carolina.
 
COMING UP
 
The Scorpions will face the RailHawks one last time this season on Sunday, Sept. 16 for the Diez Y Seis Celebration. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at SanAntonioScorpions.com or by calling 210-495-8686.



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