Conceding the first goal used to feel more like a death sentence.

But this season, Carolina has now made it a habit to win these games. Saturday's 3-1 win over visiting FC Tampa Bay was the team's third this season.

After Tampa struck first in the 18th minute on a rebound by Warren Ukah to go up 1-0, the RailHawks dominated possession and the scoreboard the rest of the game. Coach Martin Rennie has said that this year's team -- which played in front of the largest regular-season crowd, 4,041, since 2008 -- doesn't get miffed or flustered when facing a deficit.

The RailHawks (10-1-1) have won eight straight games and are unbeaten in their last 11.

"We remind them always that the things that make us a good team are staying positive with each other, building each other up and getting the best out of each other," Rennie said. "When you turn on each other, it kills your team, and these guys don't do that. They just stick together and they keep working harder and harder until they get what they want."

The RailHawks evened the score in the 36th-minute on blast from midfielder Matt Watson. Watson's second goal in as many games came after teammate Etienne Barbara laid the ball back to Watson, setting up the 25-yard strike that bended into the right lower corner of the net.

Watson, a two-way midfielder, said he's been freed up for more scoring opportunities thanks to players like Barbara pitching in to help turn away opponents on defense.

"It's a team thing. The more we've won and the more everyone wants to put in and the more the atmosphere has always been about winning," Watson said. "It's made it easy for me, because the more that everyone's doing a little bit more that's more that I don't have to do. As long as we keep winning together, everyone gets their little successes."

Barbara, who added his league-leading 13th goal in the 69th minute after firing in his own rebound, was contrite in his distaste for playing defense. But the forward, who also notched his league-leading assist in stoppage time on a cross to reserve Allan Russell, said he'd rather keep the winning ways going than play where he's most comfortable.

"To be quite honest, I hate it," Barbara said. "But when I recover and have energy and I can help my teammates, I might as well help as much as I can. I know that I want to go forward, but if we do not help each other, we cannot win."

Rennie said Tampa's movement was causing problems in the game's first 20 minutes, but defensive adjustments allowed the RailHawks to win possession back quicker and start scoring chances.

Part of the early sluggish play may have had something to do with the RailHawks' canyon-sized lead in the North American Soccer League standings. After the game, Carolina is 12 points clear of second-place FC Edmonton.

"Since we are first, and we have a good advantage on points, I know sometimes it's normal to get overconfident. But we also try to eliminate that as soon as we start the game," Barbara said. "I know anything can happen in soccer, but if we play like we did in the second half, it will be very hard for someone to beat us."

But Barbara said the professional attitude of each RailHawks player has kept the wins coming, even if the opposition scores the first goal.

"We aren't kids here, we're all men. We talk to each other, but everyone feels up to do his job," Barbara said. "Sometimes I'm in better position that I can talk and lead what's happening, sometimes somebody else is in better position and he leads me. And that's what makes us strong."