RailHawks earn NASL Woosnam Cup title

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

Shriver earns NASL Golden Boot with 15 goals

CARY, N.C. The Carolina RailHawks earned a 2-1 victory over the San Antonio Scorpions in their final game of the Fall season at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday.

Though not finishing atop the standings during either the Fall or Spring season to earn a Soccer Bowl berth, the RailHawks captured the 2013 Woosnam Cup, an award bestowed on the team with the most points accumulated throughout the North American Soccer League (NASL) year of competition.

After going down a goal in the first half, two second half goals from Brian Shriver brought the RailHawks back on top and extended the team’s home unbeaten streak to 16.

“It’s important that we were able to get this win and extend our streak at WakeMed Soccer Park,” RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke said.

“We keep momentum going into 2014 and people know that this is a difficult place to play.”

With 15 goals scored during the year, Shriver finished the season as the NASL Golden Boot winner, the team’s second player to receive the honor over the past three seasons.

Carolina accumulated the most points during the course of both seasons, with a total of 43, but fell short of topping either table to secure a place at NASL Soccer Bowl 2013, which goes to the Spring and Fall title winners.

“We made hard work of a game that we should have been in control of,” Clarke continued.

“It is pretty fitting that Brian Shriver’s goals will make him a deserved Golden Boot winner. It’s been a good season, but not great because we’re not playing next weekend.”