Rhinos and Railhawks Draw

The Rhinos played to a draw at home tonight to move to 2-4-5 in league play. They struck first almost immediately, when Menyongar played Mauricio Salles in and he was taken down in the box. Salles stepped up and converted the penalty in the 4th minute for the 1-0 lead. The Railhawk defender (former Rhino Sanfilippo) was shown a straight red for the challenge, and the Rhinos knew they would have a man advantage for the length of the game. It also set the stage for a very physical game. The Railhawks tied the game in the 17th minute when a clearing attempt was blocked and Carolina's Santiago Fusilier calmly slotted the ball home. Matthew Watson added a 2nd goal for the Railhawks later in the first half on a ball played in behind the defense. Despite the early goal and the man advantage, the Rhinos stared at a 2-1 defecit heading toward halftime. Shortly before the half, however, Delicate headed a cross down for Scott Palguta who hammered in home to draw even at 2 for halftime. The Rhinos took the lead on an own goal in the 2nd half when Danny Earls corner kick was deflected just over the goal line. In the 90th minute Jamil Walker, formerly of DC United, and back even further formerly of McQuaid High School, nearly tied the game at 3 for Carolina, but he fired just high. Caleb Norkus headed home a cross in stoppage time to manage a draw for the Carolina club. For a team that started so slowly, a point is acceptable in most circumstances for the Rhinos, but to falter when given an early lead and a man advantage is not commendable. The additions of new players probably plays a role in the team organization as they get more used to playing together, but based on tonight's match alone, I would say the 3-3 draw at home qualifies as the glass being half empty.