Anthony Maher was responsible for three of the four goals for the Carolina RailHawks in their second round victory over Bavarian SC. Thanks to online fan voting, that achievement was enough to earn him USOpenCup.com’s Player of the Round award.

Maher was all too familiar with the quality of players that Bavarian SC had prior to their second round match. 

"I played for both the Milwaukee Wave of the MISL and Milwaukee Wave United in its first year. Many former Milwaukee professionals play with the Bavarians, and I knew it was not a typical amateur team."

The underdogs held strong until Maher connected with Connally Edozien in the 37th minute for the opening goal. Edozien would return the favor just before the halftime break by chesting a ball down into Maher’s path to the right of goal. The goalkeeper got a hand on it, but the ball was struck with enough power to propel it into the back of the net to give the RailHawks a 2-0 halftime lead.

Maher would add his second thanks once again to Edozian, who received a ball down the right wing. He fired a shot which was saved but Maher headed home to rebound to make it 3-0.

"Early in the game, I had two scoring chances that I did not put away, and it motivated me to keep working," said Maher.

2007 USOpenCup.com Player of the Round

Round 1 Omar Mora El Paso Patriots (PDL) Round 2 Anthony Maher Carolina RailHawks (USL-1)

 The RailHawks, with the 4-0 win over the Milwaukee-based USASA club, have earned themselves a home match against the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in the third round. Maher knows that his club, a brand new team in the USL First Division this year, will be ready for them.

"Playing the defending U.S. Open Cup champion is a great challenge," said Maher. "We wouldn’t want to continue our Cup run any other way than to face the defending champs."