North Carolina State University Athletics
Fusilier Seeing Increased Role with Carolina RailHawks
7/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Raleigh, N.C. Former NC State midfielder Santiago Fusilier didn’t have to travel far to continue his soccer career after his Wolfpack playing days were over. A four-year starter with Pack from 2003-06, Fusilier signed on with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL and joined them for their inaugural season last year right down the road at WakeMed Soccer Stadium in Cary.
Fusilier saw playing time last season as an outside midfielder, and helped the RailHawks clinch a playoff berth in just their first season. Fusilier however would be unable to join the team in its quest for a championship, as he suffered a torn ACL at the end of the regular season.
Now after going through rehab and getting back into soccer shape, Fusilier is making a bigger impact on the field this season. He has started the last five USL games for the RailHawks, and the last seven games overall with the addition of two U.S. Open Cup games.
“The pro game is so much different than the college game, and that was something he worked a lot on last year, but I thought he had a phenomenal year for us,” said RailHawks head coach and former NC State all-american defender Scott Schweitzer. “Then when he was recovering from his ACL injury so much of that for him was mentally thinking that he was going to be fine because physically he recovered so fast.
“Once he got it in his head he would be fine playing soccer the way he always had, he has shown nothing but improvement during the course of this season. Over the last month or so it has come full circle and he has contributed tremendously on the outside for us. His attacking game is so dangerous, and we’ve seen the results with a couple of goals and many runs down the sideline.”
Just last night, in an U.S. Open Cup game against the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS, Fusilier scored the RailHawks first goal of the game in the 44th minute in the 4-2 overtime loss. He also added a goal in June at Rochester in helping the team to a 3-3 draw.
Fusilier has appeared in nine USL games so far this season, as the RailHawks currently hold a record of 4-4-5 and are bidding for a second straight playoff appearance.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fusilier appeared in 64 games and made 63 starts during his Pack career. He finished with four goals and seven assists as the Pack’s defensive midfielder, helping the Pack to the NCAA Tournament in 2003 and 2005.
The RailHawks return to home action tomorrow night, hosting the Seattle Sounders at 8:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Stadium.
Fusilier saw playing time last season as an outside midfielder, and helped the RailHawks clinch a playoff berth in just their first season. Fusilier however would be unable to join the team in its quest for a championship, as he suffered a torn ACL at the end of the regular season.
Now after going through rehab and getting back into soccer shape, Fusilier is making a bigger impact on the field this season. He has started the last five USL games for the RailHawks, and the last seven games overall with the addition of two U.S. Open Cup games.
“The pro game is so much different than the college game, and that was something he worked a lot on last year, but I thought he had a phenomenal year for us,” said RailHawks head coach and former NC State all-american defender Scott Schweitzer. “Then when he was recovering from his ACL injury so much of that for him was mentally thinking that he was going to be fine because physically he recovered so fast.
“Once he got it in his head he would be fine playing soccer the way he always had, he has shown nothing but improvement during the course of this season. Over the last month or so it has come full circle and he has contributed tremendously on the outside for us. His attacking game is so dangerous, and we’ve seen the results with a couple of goals and many runs down the sideline.”
Just last night, in an U.S. Open Cup game against the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS, Fusilier scored the RailHawks first goal of the game in the 44th minute in the 4-2 overtime loss. He also added a goal in June at Rochester in helping the team to a 3-3 draw.
Fusilier has appeared in nine USL games so far this season, as the RailHawks currently hold a record of 4-4-5 and are bidding for a second straight playoff appearance.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fusilier appeared in 64 games and made 63 starts during his Pack career. He finished with four goals and seven assists as the Pack’s defensive midfielder, helping the Pack to the NCAA Tournament in 2003 and 2005.
The RailHawks return to home action tomorrow night, hosting the Seattle Sounders at 8:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Stadium.
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