The Tampa Bay Rowdies played to a 2-2 draw against the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. The Rowdies would score two second-half goals in the span of three minutes to erase a RailHawks 1-0 lead. However, the home team would find the equalizer in the 90th minute to level the match at 2-2. With the tie, Tampa Bay extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, which includes four wins and five draws.

With forward Lucky Mkosana making his first start for the Rowdies, he would almost score the opening goal in the 5th minute. The forward received a great cross by midfielder Luke Mulholland, but goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald would save his header.

Entering the 16th minute, the visiting team was able to come up big defensively with two back-to-back saves off the line by midfielder Stuart Campbell and Mulholland respectively. Although the Rowdies seemed to control more possession of the ball, the RailHawks would exploit the space behind Tampa Bay’s defense.

It was Shipalane who scored the lone goal of the first half after 30 minutes of play. A series of dangerous chances, which included a shot off the crossbar, finished with Shipalane goal, smashing his shot into the bottom left corner of the net. The midfielder has now scored on the Rowdies in three straight matches.

The Rowdies would respond quickly with Mulholland taking a volley from the left flank, but it would soar over the crossbar. Minutes later, the NASL’s leading goal scorer, Brian Shriver, nearly made it 2-0 as he fired his shot off the right post of Restrepo. Tampa Bay closed the half controlling most of the play, but Carolina would still prove dangerous with a speedy counter attack led by Shipalane.

The Rowdies goalkeeper would make a brilliant save in the 54th minute to keep the deficit at just one goal. Shriver received a long through pass that left him one-on-one with Restrepo, but the goalkeeper was patient and waited for the forward to take the shot. Restrepo would make the save, as Shriver would try to chip him for the goal.

With Mkosana providing pace and movement up front, he nearly found the equalizer in the 56th minute with a back heel finish that was pushed out for a corner kick by Fitzgerald.

Tampa Bay saw the momentum shift their way and in the 62nd minute found the equalizer. Midfielder Evans Frimpong picked up Hristov’s cross and placed his shot in the back of the net. With Hristov leading the Rowdies in assists, Frimpong now has two goals in his last two matches.

The Rowdies were not done yet, as minutes later Mulholland led a perfect counter attack down the right flank, sending in a cross to defender Jay Needham. The Texas native headed the incoming ball into the far post to put the Rowdies up 2-1.

The visiting team had several chances to put the game away, but the offensive pressure applied by Carolina led to the final goal of the match. As the clock hit 90 minutes, Captain Austin Da Luz picked up a rebound from outside the box and slammed his shot into the bottom right corner of the net. The midfielder’s goal leveled the match at 2-2, extending their unbeaten run at home.

There wouldn’t be time for any more action at WakeMed Soccer Park, as the Rowdies were unable to hold a lead that would have secured them first place in the NASL Standings.

Scoring Summary:
Carolina: Tiyi Shipalane - 30th minute
Tampa Bay: Evans Frimpong - 72nd minute (Assisted by Georgi Hristov)
Tampa Bay: Jay Needham - 74th minute (Assisted by Luke Mulholland)
Carolina: Austin Da Luz - 90th minute

Caution Summary
Carolina: Zack Schilawski - 79th minute
Tampa Bay: Shane Hill - 90th minute

Starting XI
Tampa Bay
GK Diego Restrepo; D Frankie Sanfilippo (Captain), D Takuya Yamada, D Jay Needham, D Jordan Gafa; M Luke Mulholland, M Stuart Campbell (Shane Hill 62'), M Keith Savage (Devin Del Do 62'); F Evans Frimpong, F Georgi Hristov; F Lucky Mkosana (Raphael Cox 83')

Carolina
GK Akira Fitzgerald; D Kevin Rutkiewicz, D Julius James, D Paul Hamilton, D Kupono Low; M Tiyi Shipalane (Nick Addlery 87'), M Nick Millington (Cesar Elizondo 82'), M Kenney Walker, M Austin Da Luz (Captain); F Enzo Martinez (Zack Schilawski 73'), F Brian Shriver