Akira Fitzgerald

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed a free transfer on Dec. 11, 2014

CAREER

2013: Signed a new contract with RailHawks on Jan. 31. Named NASL Player of the Week on May 5 after five-save effort in 1-0 win over New York Cosmos.

2012: Made his first appearance for the RailHawks on May 22 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, recording three saves in a shutout victory over PSA Elite. Earned NASL Defender of the Week for his shutout performance against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Aug. 25. Saw action in five games, recording 20 saves (two shutouts) with five goals allowed.

2011: Joined NASL club Carolina RailHawks in July. Spent four seasons with the club.

COLLEGE

As a senior at Wake Forest University, he had an Atlantic Coast Conference-best 81 saves and boasted a 1.23 goals against average. Named Second Team All-ACC. One of 30 candidates for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Helped the Demon Deacons achieve a 17-4-3 record as a junior with a 0.72 goals against average (third in ACC). He ranked second in the ACC in save percentage (.833). Named to ACC Honor Roll in 2009 and '08. Started every game as a sophomore, finishing with 13 clean sheets. After redshirting his freshman year, made four appearances in 2007, posting a 1-0-1 record.

YOUTH & CLUB

Four-year letterwinner at Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, Md. Named Maryland Player of the Year. Also named Baltimore Player of the Year. NSCAA All-American in 2005. NSCAA Youth All-American in 2004 and '05. Named the 2005 NSCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year. While in college, spent two seasons (2008-09) with USL Premier Development League club Cary Clarets.