HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (May 1, 2016) – Yohandry Orozco’s first goal in a New York Cosmos uniform was the difference as the Cosmos edged the previously undefeated Carolina RailHawks, 1-0, on a rainy Sunday night at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.

The Venezuelan midfielder's match-winner was a searing individual effort combining speed, elusiveness and power. In the 45^th minute he settled a cross from Gabriel Farfán, slipped past one defender and then cut between two others before putting a blast off the crossbar and in.

“Since yesterday I was thinking about scoring today,” Orozco said after the match. “I thought about it very hard. Apparently it works out when you think about it a lot because I ended up scoring today.”

“We know the quality Orozco has," said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. "He’s scored that type of goal in the past. He’s excellent in one-on-one situations, and he was able to strike the ball perfectly there. That was important for us to get the victory.”

The Cosmos (3-0-2), who moved within three points of the Spring Season leaders Carolina (4-0-1), pressed for a second goal after halftime. In the 50^th minute, forward Jairo Arrieta cut the ball back twice to create space, but put his attempt wide of the near post. Three minutes later, Niko Kranjčar’s 20-yard effort caromed off the crossbar.

Kranjčar was inches away from an insurance tally in the 82^nd minute, cutting the ball back twice before his low shot raced just wide of the far post.

"We were the ones creating chances the whole game," the Croatian midfielder commented. "We were going forward with numbers.”

Carolina, which entered the game with maximum points from its first four fixtures, had a chance to equalize in the 69^th minute when second-half substitute Brian Shriver put his attempt on target following some quality buildup. But Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer got a piece before the ball went out for a corner.

Three minutes later, Maurer came up with a spectacular save when he parried away a first-time volley from James Marcelin inside the six-yard box. Then Maurer raced off his line to fend off Tiyi Shipalane, who got behind the Cosmos back line.

“We just had that little bit more that allowed us to finish out the game and come home with three points,” said Maurer.

The Cosmos travel to Florida next for their first ever meeting with NASL expansion side Miami FC on Saturday, May 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at FIU Stadium.