USL News Release

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division Player of the Week honor for the first week of the season, honoring Carolina RailHawks defender Mark Schulte for his play in the Opening Match of the campaign.

The Defender of the Year the past two seasons in the USL Second Division, Schulte played a key role in the RailHawks earning a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Thunder as they kicked off the season Saturday.

Both of Carolina’s goals resulted from Mark Schulte’s deep throw-ins. In the 12th minute, he threw the ball into the box, and it came out of the area and back to him. From about 20 yards, Schulte lashed a drive that weaved its way through the crowded box and whistled past the outstretched Nic Platter.

Gavin Glinton scored the go-ahead goal in 56th minute, four minutes after he entered the match. The play started with Schulte’s throw-in into the middle of the penalty area. The ball bounced out of a scrum and rolled to Daniel Paladini. Paladini hammered a shot from 30 yards, and it ricocheted off a Minnesota defender, hit the crossbar and went straight up in the air. As the ball came back to earth, Glinton beat Platter to the ball and headed it in at the near post.

With only two matches on Opening Night, the USL-1 Team of the Week selections will make their debut as the league hits full swing with the remaining clubs, excluding Portland, kicking off their seasons next weekend with five contests on Saturday, April 18.