Carolina broke open a 2-2 tie with two Etienne Barbara penalty-kick goals over the final 21 minutes to defeat the Atlanta Silverbacks Saturday night. It was the RailHawks' first road victory since star defender Brad Rusin was transferred to a first-division team in Denmark in early July.

Barbara totaled three goals on the night, making him just the fifth RailHawk ever to notch a hat trick. Barbara now has 20 goals this year.

Carolina (16-4-3) has tied a club record for wins in a season and broken one for goals scored with 47.

With five games left, the RailHawks are seven points in front of second-place Puerto Rico and have clinched a first-round by in the playoffs.

After Atlanta scored first in the 26th minute on a Willie Hunt header off a corner kick, Carolina claimed its fifth come-from-behind victory this year.

Within five minutes of Hunt's goal Barbara and Tony McManus scored to put the RailHawks up 2-1.

In the 79th, Barbara buried his first penalty attempt.

In stoppage time, Barbara again fell in the box, but no foul was called. Atlanta goalkeeper Felipe Quintero appeared to taunt Barbara as he lay on the ground.

Quintero was given a red card - and since the ejection took place in the box, Barbara got another penalty kick.

The RailHawks return home this Saturday against FC Tampa Bay at 7 p.m. It is one of two home games left in the regular season.