The games four goals were all scored in the final 30 minutes of the match. With the Railhawks ahead 2-0, Impact midfielder Simon Gatti, who replaced Filipe Soares only five minutes prior, scored in the 75th minute, marking the 600th regular season goal in franchise history.
Standing near the far post, Gatti scored his first goal of the season, and the second of his career with the Impact, after heading a Leonardo Di Lorenzo cross passed the RailHawks goalkeeper, earning Di Lorenzo his first point of the season.
Donatelli then tied the game on a penalty shot taken during the final seconds of the match following a handball foul committed by striker Sallieu Bundu in the 18-yard box. Donatelli scored his second goal of the season from the spot, beating keeper Eric Reed, who dove the wrong way, with a low shot to his left side.
"I think we played very well tonight," said Donatelli, who is currently the Impact points leader with three goals and eight points. "We controlled the rhythm of the game and we had the majority of the possession. We showed a lot of character coming from behind to earn a point against a division rival."
"We were by far the better team on the pitch tonight, with multiple scoring opportunities," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We were strong tactically in adapting to the context of the game. While it was 2-0, we adjusted our system by playing with only three defenders. Our players adapted well, and we took advantage of the risks we were taking near the end of the game."
Striker Sallieu Bundu (61st minute) and midfielder Floyd Frank (73rd minute) scored the two goals for Carolina. Bundu scored with a header near the second post off of a free kick by defender David Hayes, while Franks scored from a penalty.
The Railhawks extend its unbeaten streak to six regular season games.
Impact striker Eduardo Sebrango left the game in the 11th minute after injuring his groin. He was replaced by forward Roberto Brown.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin), as well as defenders Stefano Pesoli (toe) and Hicham Aaboubou (personal reasons) were unavailable for the game.
The division rivals will meet again on July 14 at Saputo Stadium, and then again on August 7 in North Carolina.
The Impact plays its next game on Wednesday, June 30, when the Vancouver Whitecaps visit Saputo Stadium. Tickets are still available for the game via the Admission box office (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), or at the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS
4th minute - After taking in a cross from Filipe Soares, striker Peter Byers shot from near the penalty spot, but his left-footed strike just squeaked by the RailHawks post.
37th minute - After accepting a ball from Soares, striker Roberto Brown spun around defender Mark Schulte before firing off a shot from just inside the penalty box, but Reed managed to make he save, diving to his left.
84th minute - Defender Nevio Pizzolitto deflected a shot from Daniel Paladini just over the Impact crossbar.
90th minute - A free kick by Philippe Billy from about 25 meters out sailed just over the Railhawks crossbar.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
• Wednesday, June 30 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Saturday, July 3 – IMPACT @ Rochester – Paetec Park – 7pm (rhinossoccer.com)
• Saturday, July 10 – IMPACT @ St. Louis - Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park – 8:10pm (ac-stlouis.com)
GAME SUMMARY
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Monteal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
