— In the early days of its founding, Hempstead, New York was named “Old Blue” for its strict adherence to Puritan Blue Laws that, in part, restricted Sunday activities. The Carolina RailHawks appeared similarly hamstrung in Hempstead this Sunday afternoon at a dreary Shuart Stadium, as early languid play eventually segued into late foiled chances as the RailHawks fell to the New York Cosmos 1-0, Carolina’s first loss of the 2016 NASL season.

The Cosmos held a decided statistical advantage over the RailHawks during an opening half that saw the home side outshoot Carolina 8-1 and hold 58 percent of possession. New York were ready to grab the lead in the 20th minute, when a Niko Kranjcar ball over the top of the RailHawks’ back line found an onside Sebastián Guenzatti. But Guenzatti’s 1-v-1 with Carolina goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was thwarted when Sylvestre made a timely kick save.

The RailHawks appeared poised to weather the early storm until the last throes of the first half. A long pass from Gabriel Farfán found Yohandry Orozco along with left wing, and Orozco did all the work from there. Orozco spun defender Drew Beckie, then ducked past converted midfielder James Marcelin before blasting a shot that grazed goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre’s helpless mitt en route to net, for a 1-0 Cosmos lead at intermission.

Carolina’s futile performance continued until a couple of substitutions in the 64th minute moved Marcelin back to his natural central midfield position. The RailHawks proceeded to put together three promising chances over the ensuing 20-plus minutes.

In the 69th minute, a Billy Schuler backheel found Nazmi Albadawi, who fed Brian Shriver along the left side of the goal box. But Cosmos keeper Jimmy Maurer got a knee on Shriver’s shot to keep the lead.

In the 85th, Albadawi delivered a delicious chip pass to Marcelin charging far post. Marcelin attempted to replicate his short-range goal at the Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend, but Maurer got a paw on Marcelin’s volley.

A minute later, an Albadawi through-ball found an onside Tiyi Shipalane, But an out-rushing Maurer cleared out both the ball and Shipalane to preserve the 1-0 Cosmos victory.

New York outshot the RailHawks 18-5 for the match, including 11 shots inside the area to just two for Carolina. Sylvestre made his first start of the season in goal for Carolina, in place of Akira Fitzgerald, whose mother passed away last week. Sylvestre made four saves on five shots faced.

The RailHawks (4-0-1, 12 pts.) retain a 3-point lead atop the NASL table. Carolina returns to WakeMed Soccer Park for two consecutive home matches, starting next Saturday, May 7 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

BOX SCORE

LINEUPS

CAR: Sylvestre, Black, Tobin, Marcelin, Beckie, Pérez (Taitague, 83’), Watson (Mensing, 64’), Shipalane, Albadawi, da Luz (Schuler, 64’), Shriver

NYC: Maurer, Ayoze, Mendes, Freeman, Farfán (Ockford, 78’), Orozco (Diosa, 85’), Kranjcar (Szetela, 84’), Lahoud, Arango, Guenzatti, Arrieta

GOALS

CAR: ---

NYC: Orozco, 45’

CAUTIONS

CAR: Marcelin, 67’, Albadawi, 72’, Mensing, 90’ + 5’

NYC: Orozco, 45’, Kranjcar, 72’, Ayoze, 84’

EJECTIONS

CAR: ---

NYC: ---

ATTENDANCE: 2,419