The Puerto Rico Islanders defeated league leading Carolina 2-0 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 3,721 in Bayamon.

Islanders' forward David Foley scored from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after a penalty decision from referee Javier Santos. Petter Villegas doubled the lead in the 86th as the RailHawks were caught out as they searched for an equalizing goal.

The RailHawks’ best chance of the night came in the 68th minute after a weaving run from Jonny Steele. Steele’s left footed chip from the edge of the 18  clipped the top of the crossbar.

While the RailHawks pushed for the equalizier late in the match, it was the Islanders who scored the second and decisive goal. Villegas turned RailHawks’ defender John Krause inside the box and poked the ball past RailHawks goalkeeper Brad Knighton from a short distance. 

The RailHawks’  entered August with a 15-point cushion at the top of the NASL table. That lead has been cut to just 6 points over the Islanders as the playoffs approach. Puerto Rico is next in action this upcoming Saturday, April 20th versus FC Tampa Bay in St Petersburg, Fla. The RailHawks return home to face Fort Lauderdale the same day.

Lineups
Car: GK Brad Knighton, D Kupono Low, D Devon McKenney (Cory Elaino, 48), D John Krause, D Cory Miller, M Tony McManus, M Matt Watson, M Chris Nurse, M Johnny Steele, M Nick Zimmerman (Pablo Campos, 74), F Etienne Barbara

PRI: GK Ray Burse, D Richard Martinez, D Jamie Cunningham, D Jay Needham, D Scott Jones (Kevon Villaroel, 4) M Aaron Pitchkolan, M Osi Telesford (Joseph Salem, 82), M Jonathan Fana, M Noah Delgado (Petter Vilegas, 74), F Nick Addlery, F David Foley

SCORING SUMMARY,
PRI: David Foley, 37
PRI: Petter Villegas, 86

CAUTIONS
CAR: John Krause, 36; Johnny Steele, 52; Cory Miller, 90
PRI: Jonathan Fana, 45

SHOTS
CAR: 13
PRI: 14

FOULS
CAR: 13
PRI: 12