The San Antonio Scorpions knew they let a win get away at home against FC Edmonton. Playing their third game in eight days, the defending champions took their act on the road. However, it appeared fatigue got the better of them.
The Scorpions went down early, but their rally attempt fell short as they suffered a 2-3 loss to the Carolina Railhawks in front of 4,180 fans inside WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.
Carolina got the scoring started early when they put home two goals just two minutes apart. Railhawks midfielder Neil Hlavaty beat the Scorpions defense down the field to fire a shot past San Antonio goalkeeper Daryl Sattler to put the home team up by a goal in the 22nd minute.
In the 24th, the Railhawks extended their lead. Sattler made two consecutive saves in the box, but Novo was there to bang home the rebound to give Carolina the 2-0 lead.
Just before halftime, the red and black made a dent in the Railhawks lead. César Elizondo’s header off a Rafael Castillo shot found its way past Carolina ‘keeper in the 35th minute to cut the Scorpions deficit to 1-2 after 45 minutes.
After a foul was called on San Antonio, Carolina was awarded a penalty kick in the 67th minute. Novo stepped up and buried the PK past a diving Sattler to put the Railhawks up 1-3.
Just eight minutes later, it was the Scorpions turn for a penalty. Elizondo earned San Antonio a free kick after he was taken down. Castillo faked out Fitzgerald, who went in the opposite direction to cut the deficit to one goal again with plenty of time remaining.
Despite four minutes of stoppage time added, San Antonio was unable to find the equalizer. Their best chance came when Eric Hassli earned a free kick from 22 yards out. He sent a perfect shot towards the net, but Fitzgerald made the diving save to seal the win for Carolina.
The Scorpions are now 1-1-2 (4 points) on the season and will return to the pitch next Saturday when they welcome Minnesota FC United to Toyota Field at 7:30 p.m.
