The second-seeded Carolina RailHawks will face the NSC Minnesota Stars in the 1st round of USSF D2 soccer playoffs, the club announced Sunday evening. The round will be a two-leg, home-and-away format, with the aggregate goal-scoring team over the two matches advancing to the second round.
Although the RailHawks finished the regular season ranked higher than Minnesota, they lost twice to the Stars in as many meetings between the clubs this year, including a 1-0 loss at Minnesota just over two weeks ago. Still, the RailHawks enter the playoffs as NASL Conference champions and on a three-match winning streak.
This will be the RailHawks’ third trip to the postseason in the club’s four-year history. They have yet to record a playoff game or series win.
The first leg at Minnesota takes place this Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Kickoff of the second leg is 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
