news-record.com

APEX -- The Carolina Dynamo got another shutout from goalie Brock Duckworth and clinched a spot in the PDL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Cary Clarets at Middle Creek Park.

Zach Loyd scored the game's only goal in the 41th minute. Sheanon Williams was credited with the assist. Duckworth had five saves and the shutout was his second in three games against Cary.

The Dynamo (9-4-2) has won six of its last seven and is assured of one of the three playoffs spots from the Mid Atlantic Division. Cary fell to 9-4-3.

Carolina ends its regular season at home Friday against the Fredricksburg (Va.) Gunners. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Macpherson Stadium.

"We're on a roll," Dynamo general manager Scott Zapko said. "We're getting hot at the right time. Cary is one of the better teams in the league and we finished 2-1 against them. We're coming together and getting hot at the right time."

The match was marred by three ejections. A Cary player was ejected in the 62nd minute. The Clarets lost another player to an ejection in the 73rd minute. The Dynamo's E.J. O'Keeffe picked up his second yellow card of the match and was ejected in stoppage time.

Goals: Carolina -- Zach Loyd (41st). Assists: Carolina -- Sheanon Williams. Shots: Carolina 6, Cary 6. Saves: Carolina (Brock Duckworth) 5; Cary (Akira Fitzgerald) 3. Corner kicks: Carolina 1, Cary 2.

Records: Carolina 9-4-2; Cary 9-4-3.