Striker joins RailHawks from USL-2 champion Richmond
Delicate arrives in Carolina
Saturday, September 12, 2009
CARY, NC -- The Carolina RailHawks announced that prior to the USL-1 roster freeze, the club acquired 2009 USL-2 Champion and leading goal-scorer Matthew Delicâte on loan from the Richmond Kickers.
With 13 goals and two assists this season, Matt Delicâte has been instrumental in helping the Richmond Kickers capture the 2009 USL-2 championship. His ease in finding the back of the net has garnered him the 2009 USL-2 goal scoring champion title as well as a spot on the 2009 USL-2 All-League First Team.
Delicate returns to the USL First Division after having previously played in the top flight with the Kickers in 2004-05 and with the Rochester Rhinos 2006-08, registering 38 goals and 15 assists during the five-year span.
“When we transferred Aaron King to Miami we felt it would be good to have another player and Matt was available,†said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. “He just had a great season with Richmond and has experience scoring goals at this level. He will be able to help us in the final stretch and we’re glad to have him.â€
A native of Kent, England, Delicâte has proven himself numerous times throughout his career making a difference and earning accolades with every team he has been. Prior to joining the Kickers for the 2009 season he spent three seasons with the Rochester Rhinos where he led the team in points (19) in 2006 and finished second in 2007 with 13 points.
Delicâte is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where he holds career records for goals (44) and points (101).
“He’s big, strong and good in the air but the main thing is he can score goals,†Rennie continued. “He just scored a league leading 13 goals in USL-2 but if you look through his college and professional career you will see that he’s a goal-scorer.â€
Delicâte may make his debut Saturday as the RailHawks host the Puerto Rico Islanders in a battle for second place at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m.
“The USL-2 season ends a little bit earlier and I always thought, in the back of my mind, that I would be able to come and help a USL-1 team with their end of season and playoffs,†said Delicâte. “Hopefully I can come in and score a few goals and help the team get to the championship game.â€