CARY, N.C. – Facing one of the sides it needed to gain ground on in the race for the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Tampa Bay Rowdies knew they needed one of their biggest efforts of the season as they visited North Carolina FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Thanks to Sebastian Guenzatti’s first three goals of the season – the first hat trick by a Tampa Bay player this season – the Rowdies kept themselves afloat in a 3-0 victory that saw the side execute flawlessly in front of goal to take the first step back toward playoff contention.

“We were definitely playing to keep our playoff hopes alive,” said Guenzatti. “We needed a win. Last weekend at home we took a tough loss at home and I think we deserved to win. Today we showed that we deserved it.”

With the bonus of eighth-place Nashville SC’s defeat to the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, the Rowdies moved back within seven points of the playoff positions with eight games to go in its regular season as its counterattacking approach paid major dividends in its second road win against NCFC this season.

While the hosts held almost a two-to-one advantage in possession and outshot their visitors by more than a two-to-one margine (23-10), the Rowdies’ front duo of Guenzatti and Junior Flemmings linked up perfectly to give the Rowdies’ a two-goal halftime lead. Both goals came down the right side as Flemmings first sent a sweeping cross to Guenzatti as he moved into the left side of the penalty area, controlling with his first touch before producing a deft finish to lift the ball over NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.

The second arrived just before halftime, with a curled cross by Flemmings being struck home crisply by Guenzatti from the top of the six-yard area. Coming only moments after North Carolina had threatened an equalizer when Kyle Bekker’s shot from the top of the penalty area was just turned wide by Rowdies goalkeeper Daniel Vega, the Rowdies’ goal provided an added jolt to the side as it went into the halftime break.

“We’re a team that despite a good performance in the last three or four games is probably struggling to find that same confidence purely on the fact that we’ve suffered the defeats that we have,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. I felt that we started strong, we put into action what we worked on all week. Our strikers made the most out of their opportunities and equally we defended well.”

Guenzatti completed his hat trick 11 minutes into the second half with a simple finish from close range after Leo Fernandes did well to get in down the left side to deliver a low cross. From there the Rowdies’ defense made the lead stick as North Carolina couldn’t find the same scoring touch as in its victory against the Charlotte Independence the previous week.

“I think if we had stood out there for another hour we probably wouldn't have found the back of the net tonight,” said NCFC Head Coach Colin Clarke. “Just one of those nights where we create chances, headers and things just find the wrong side of the post. Tough night, but our defending wasn't good on their three goals.”

“North Carolina is a good team that passes the ball well and plays from the outside,” added Guenzatti. “We knew they were going to try and make a lot of crosses and that’s what happened tonight. It was a great team effort.”

The Rowdies face another trip to the Carolinas next Saturday night with a visit to the Charleston Battery, another strong test for the side. It may also be in the odd position of rooting for the side it just defeated with North Carolina set to face Nashville SC, the side both are currently chasing in the final playoff place.

With a playoff place on the line, though, the Rowdies will accept whatever help they can get in addition to their own efforts to find a way into the postseason.

“We worked very hard during the week,” said Guenzatti. “I think today we showed that we’re a tough team to play against. Everybody’s playing for each other. Everyone was on the same page and working for each other.”