When Brian Levey was introduced as the RailHawks starting goalkeeper Sunday afternoon, it was the first time since the preseason he’d seen the field.

Even he conceded few of the 7,155 people at WakeMed Soccer Park probably knew who he was before kickoff. By the final whistle, his efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Levey had eight saves against Monterrey and gets credit for a shutout even though the RailHawks lost the game 4-1 in a penalty kick shootout.

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” Levey said. “It would have been nice to win in PKs, but I thought it was a total team effort. We had to rely on everybody on our team and I feel like everybody came through for each other.”

The highlight of Levey’s debut came on a 20th-minute free kick. From the top of the penalty area, Monterrey midfielder Luis Pérez struck the ball over the wall and Levey flew to his left and tipped it over the crossbar. Levey also got some help from his defense. In the 50th minute, Monterrey’s Humberto Suazo sprung Jésus Arrellano free. He touched the ball by Levey and had a look at the open goal, but left back Kupono Low headed it away to keep the match scoreless.

Levey learned Saturday that he would get the start Sunday. Coach Scott Schweitzer gave Levey the nod in order to give Chris McClellan, the team’s normal starter, a day off, and to give Levey a chance to play.

“He played phenomenally,” said Schweitzer, who noted that everyone who played Sunday contributed. “For one, these guys deserve it for all that they do. For two, it gives us a chance to look at them. Practice is one thing, but games are completely different. Some guys are good in practice but can’t keep the tempo of the game going. Tonight, everybody was unbelievable. It’ll make our decisions that much harder for the rest of the year, which is what a coach wants.”

At the University of New Hampshire from 2003-06, Levey recorded 27 shutouts and a 0.74 career goals against average, both school records. He had a tryout with the New York Red Bulls in early 2007, but he was not offered a contract. Though he was drafted by the Atlanta Silverbacks last season, he signed with the USL Second Division’s New Hampshire Phantoms and played in 16 games, with three shutouts.

Encouraged by a coach, Levey came to Cary for an open tryout during the offseason. And like McClellan did the year before, Levey impressed the coaching staff and made the team.

Heading into the shootout Sunday, which was necessary in order to award the winner the Tecate Cup, Levey said he wanted to stop at least one of Monterrey’s attempts.

“It didn’t work out that way,” he said. “Their keeper read them well and you’ve got to give them credit. I just wish I could’ve got one.”

Sanfilippo back

Frankie Sanfilippo returned to the starting lineup Sunday for the first time since June 20. Sanfilippo missed the RailHawks’ previous eight games, save for 20 minutes and extra time against Kansas City on July 1 and 45 minutes on Friday against Puerto Rico, with a hamstring injury.

“I can’t handle it when I’m watching it,” he said. “It feels great to be back on the field.”

Dog days of summer

July is proving to be a bad month for the RailHawks.

In six matches so far this month, they are 0-3-3 in four USL-1 fixtures, a U.S. Open Cup match and one exhibition. Last July, they went 1-6-2 in the month, which included seven USL-1 dates, one U.S. Open Cup match and one exhibition.

They have two games left before the calendar turns to August, Thursday in Portland and Saturday in Vancouver.

U23s finish with win

The Cary RailHawks U23s finished the PDL season Saturday with a 6-1 win over the Nashville Metros. Zack Schilawski scored in the third and 44th minutes, and Brian Shriver, William Schuler, Mamadou Danso and Brian Ackley all scored, too. The RailHawks won their final six games to finish the season 9-5-2 and in third place in the Southeast Division.

Women finish with win

The Carolina RailHawks W-League team closed out its first season Sunday with a 3-1 win over the Richmond Kickers Destiny. Lindsay Vera, Amanda Mueller and Sterling Smith scored for the RailHawks. They end their season with a record of 7-6-1 and in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.