The San Antonio Scorpions earned their first victory of the 2015 season by beating the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 on a late goal by striker Bright Dike in front of 7,252 fans at Toyota Field.
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The Alamo City boys dominated the match from start to finish, but made the faithful that filled Toyota Field wait until late for the defining moment of the game. In the 78' minute, midfield maestro Rafael Castillo was 10 yards into the attacking half of the field when he received a pass and was put under immediate pressure by the Carolina defense. Castillo made a nifty move with the ball between his legs and immediately reversed direction and headed up field in his new-found space.
Castillo eyed second-half substitute Billy Forbes making a run down the left wing and sent a perfectly timed pass to the Turks and Caicos international as he broke through the Carolina line. The RailHawks defense converged on Forbes as he powered towards the middle of the pitch, but the 2014 league leader in assists saw striker Bright Dike making a run towards the far post. Forbes waited until Carolina 'keeper Hunter Gilstrap made his move, then he slid the ball across the goal mouth and Oklahoma native Dike didn't miss the wide open net. The stadium erupted in a cathartic cheer as a goal had been tantalizingly just out of reach the entire match.
The Scorpions dictated the pace of play in the first half and compiled an eight to one advantage in corner kicks and a seven to two advantage in shots, but could not find their opener. They came close on multiple occasions, starting in the first minute of play. Marvin Chávez timed a ball over the top perfectly for striker Omar Cummings, but the Jamaican speedster was unable to place his shot on frame.
In the 17', Cummings played provider when he chased down a ball on the right flank just before it crossed the end line and sent a cross back into the middle of the box. Castillo controlled the ball and made a small move to create space before unleashing a very hard shot on goal, but that unfortunately went straight at Gilstrap.
Next week, the Scorpions embark on a two game road trip with their first Sunday game of the season at FC Edmonton. The RailHawks will host the Cosmos, who the Scorpions will play in two weeks in New York.