Fort Lauderdale, Fla (October 18, 2014) – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were able to fight to a 1-1 draw against the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC, keeping them in the fourth and final playoff spot with just two games left in the season. FC Edmonton, who defeated Ottawa Fury 2-0 earlier in the day, jumped ahead of Carolina and are now just one point behind the Strikers for that final spot. The two teams will face off next Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium in what will be a crucial match for both teams.

The teams played a fast-paced first half, with both pushing hard, but neither team was able to create any great chances. The Strikers best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when Mark Anderson received a cross from Shawn Chin and tried to one-time it, but Carolina’s Akira Fitzgerald was able to come up with the save, and the teams went into the locker rooms with the scoreboard showing 0-0.

The save of the day came in the 54th minute from Kamil Contofalsky, when Nazmi Albadawi found himself with the ball at the top of the box and made a great shot, but Contofalsky was able to push the ball over the crossbar for an amazing save.

Anderson was able to put the Strikers ahead 1-0 in the 67th minute when Martin Nuñez slotted him the ball just outside the box and the midfielder shot it with his left foot, putting the ball inside the right post past Fitzgerald.

Just three minutes later, Ty Shipalane crossed the ball and found Albadawi who tried to redirect the ball into the goal, but somehow Contofalsky was able to come up with another great save from point-blank.

Carolina continued to press after the Strikers goal, creating several opportunities, but the Strikers defense continued to hold strong.