Montreal Sports - Montreal Impact

Despite a 15-8 lead in shots, the Montreal Impact played to a 1-1 draw against the Carolina RailHawks Saturday, in front of 1,345 spectators at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. 

This come from behind tie marked the second consecutive match in training camp, that the Impact evened the score in the last moments of the game. Defender Nevio Pizzolitto scored on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, beating RailHawks ‘keeper Eric Reed to his right. The penalty kick occurred after Impact forward Peter Byers had been tripped in the 18-yard box by midfielder Josh Gardner.

The RailHawks took the lead in the 69th minute, also scoring on a penalty. Defender Kupono Low beat Impact ‘keeper Matt Jordan with a low shot to his right, while he dove to the opposite side.

“It was a positive match against an excellent team,” declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We had a lot of scoring chances and we defended ourselves well. This is the identity we want to see on the field. The substitutes also showed character and brought speed in the second half. We feel that the team is growing collectively and we feel more and more ready for the start of the season.”

Matt Jordan faced eight shots, notably stopping a powerful 20-yard shot from Josh Gardner at the 54th minute.

So far in seven preseason matches, the Montreal Impact has a record of two wins (2-1 versus UQAM/McGill and 5-1 versus Freamunde), two losses (2-1 versus Celta de Vigo and 1-0 versus Rochester) and three draws (1-1 versus Boavista, 1-1 versus Charleston et 1-1 versus Carolina).

The Impact will play its eighth and final exhibition match of training camp against Wake Forest University (NCAA), Monday at 3 pm, at WakeMed Soccer Complex.

Tags: Carolina Railhawks \ Matt Jordan \ Montreal Impact \ NASL \ Nevio Pizzolitto \ peter byers \ pre-season \ Rocco Placentino \ soccer \ USSF