Northern Virginia United Deals FC Frederick a One-Sided Loss

By FC Frederick

Sam Golan used his head, then his feet to help Northern Virginia United deal FC Frederick its worst loss in NPSL history during a 5-0 contest Wednesday night at Urbana High School.

Golan, a defender, scored on a pair of first-half headers as Northern Virginia United built a 3-0 lead. Then Golan locked down FC Frederick’s attack in the second half as Northern Virginia United opened its season with a victory.

Before Wednesday, FC Frederick had lost only one match in five years by more than two goals — and that was a 4-0 loss to Virginia Beach City FC in the program’s third match of its first season on June 7, 2015.

The 5-0 setback drops FC Frederick, the defending Mid-Atlantic Conference champions, to 0-1-1 on the season.

Although Golan was named the match’s most outstanding player, Alexander Shahmirzadi gave an equally impressive performance, assisting on three goals.

Shahmirzadi got things started in the 18th minute when his pass found Alexander Garuba, who then battled through a slide tackle to find himself all alone on the goalkeeper, and Garuba didn’t miss.

Golan added goals in the 31st and 44th minutes, turning what was a tight contest into a runaway. Golan’s first score came on a free kick from Christopher Welsh and his second on a throw-in into the box by Shahmirzadi.

Despite the 3-0 scoreline, the contest was hardly one-sided on the field. In fact, FC Frederick had created a number of quality chances in the first half but came up empty.

FC Frederick’s Nate Lee hit a shot off the post in the second half as the team applied a little pressure, but then Alexander Abril put the game firmly out of reach, scoring in the 66th minute assisted by Shahmirzadi. A pair of late subs capped the scoring in the 90th+1 as Samuel Solomon scored on a pass from Khalil Dover. Both entered the game after the 80th minute.

Chris Shutler made eight saves — most of them rather routine — to earn the shutout for Northern Virginia United.

Connor Andrews, making his NPSL debut, played the first half in goal for FC Frederick, making one save. Abiye Jack played the second half, picking up three saves.

Northern Virginia United held a 14-10 edge in shots. FC Frederick had seven corner kicks to three for Northern Virginia.

FC Frederick returns to action Sunday, June 2 at Virginia Beach City FC.

Photo Credit: FC Frederick