Though Carolina’s league trophy aspirations took a massive hit with their eight-game winless streak in July, the RailHawks are proving anything’s possible in the U.S. Open Cup.

The RailHawks continued their strong play in the nationwide single-elimination tournament Tuesday with a 1-0 win over the USL Second Division’s Richmond Kickers at SAS Soccer Park.

“We keep getting Open Cup games right when the team’s ready to play,” Carolina coach Scott Schweitzer said. “When you’re not playing in your own league, there’s a chance for anything.

“We’ve been playing good, but we’ve been losing. When we get into the Open Cup, it’s a whole different thing for us. We’ve been doing the right things. We know it’s you lose and you’re out. We play really well under pressure, actually.”

In a bit of role reversal, Carolina allowed Richmond several superb scoring chances that went uncoverted, while the RailHawks capitalized on their best one of the night.

Connally Edozien scored the game’s only goal in the 64th minute. Jonny Steele got the play started when he intercepted a pass near midfield. He played give-and-go to Joel Bailey, who then sprung Steele free to attack the goal. Steele cut toward the goal, with Edozien trailing the play. Just as Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale came off his line, Steele played to Edozien, who easily put the ball in for his fourth goal in Open Cup play.

“Everything was right about that ball. ... Jonny's got no right foot, absolutely no right foot,” Edozien said. “He passed the ball across the goal mouth with is right foot, and I was right there. It was a calm finish.”

It was also the type of play Richmond had tried to pull off but was turned away all night.

Throughout the first half, Kickers forward were played through and had 1-on-1 chances with Carolina goalkeeper Chris McClellan.

But McClellan raced off his line and beat the Richmond attackers to the free ball throughout the match. McClellan also made five saves to record his second shutout in the Open Cup, and 10th overall this season.

McClellan also got a hand from his teammates to keep his clean sheet.

In the 32nd minute, Carolina’s Chris Carrieri headed away a Harding volley bound for the goal at the near post.

In second-half stoppage time, Frankie Sanfilippo cleared another Rochester chance away at the end line. Richmond also had a goal taken out of the net.

In the 22nd minute, Richmond's Evan Harding scored, but it did not count because he was offside before he received the ball and took the shot.

“I’m just scratching my head. I’m trying to figure out how we lost the game to be honest,” said Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw. “I thought, overall, we were the better team on the night. We created better chances, and somehow, the ball didn’t go in the back of the net. It wasn’t to be.”

The RailHawks will travel for the first time in the Open Cup, when they head to New Britain, Conn., to face the New England Revolution on Sept. 4 in their semifinal match.

“It’s awesome,” Sanfilippo said. “We're a first-year expansion team. Who would ever think a first-year First Division expansion team would be in the semifinals of an Open Cup?”