Eskays Team Up, Gosselin Uses His Head in FC Frederick Victory

Jackson Eskay returned to the FC Frederick lineup, William Eskay provided his usual goal-scoring touch and Jake Gosselin netted a hat trick with the ball never touching his feet.

It all added up to a record-setting 7-0 victory for FC Frederick over undermanned Legacy 76 to start the NPSL season Friday night at Hood College.

Jackson Eskay was part of the inaugural FC Frederick NPSL team in 2015 and set a still-standing season assist record with six. After two years as a professional player in the USL, he returned to FC Frederick on Friday and delivered his first NPSL goal ever and a pair of assists, and by the 55th minute his night was finished.

William Eskay scored a pair of goals and assisted on Jackson Eskay’s goal as FC Frederick built a 4-0 lead by the 55th minute in what is the most lopsided win in FC Frederick history. The team also set records for most goals scored in a match (7), fewest shots allowed (3), and fewest goalkeeper saves (0). The team also posted its first-ever season-opening shutout.

“In practice this week we worked on three areas – speed of play, movement and communication,” FC Frederick coach Chris Spinks said. “We started quickly and there was no letdown.”

In the 55th minute, Jackson Eskay and Saidou Toure, who scored a brilliant bending goal in the first half, were subbed out for Gosselin and Christian Morales. Gosselin proceeded to score three goals – all by headers, coming in the 70th, 73rd and 90th minutes.

“As a young player (last year), I was used to coming off the bench,” Gosselin said. “I came in buzzing around, raising the energy level. … Once I got that first chance, I found the rhythm. … This was a perfect way to start, and to show our fans what we’re all about this year.”

FC Frederick is 1-0 and returns to action Sunday against Virginia Beach City at Hood College’s Thomas Athletic Field. Legacy 76, which only dressed 14 players Friday, falls to 1-2.

“This is the strongest roster we’ve had,” Spinks said. “That was our plan all along. By the fourth year (in the NPSL) we wanted to be stronger than ever before. We’ve got 26 players on the roster and we’ve got so many options. Tonight, we give Jake (Gosselin) 30 minutes, and he gives us a hat trick.”

The outcome was quite a turnabout from the teams’ last meeting, which was in the Mid-Atlantic Conference championship last year. Legacy, then the bottom seed, upset FC Frederick 3-1 in overtime in that match, which also was played at Hood College.

William Eskay started the Friday scorefest in the fifth minute. The play originated with Toure, who sent a pass to the right wing for Justin Lee. The former Penn State player crossed the ball to the far post where an unmarked William Eskay was able to run onto the ball for the opening goal.

Jackson Eskay’s goal came in the 22nd minute, assisted by William Eskay. Jackson Eskay then assisted Toure’s goal and William Eskay’s second score, making in 4-0. Gosselin’s three goals were assisted each by John A. Eskay, Graham Guidry, and Zach Hommey.

FC Frederick outshot Legacy 14-3 in the match that was every bit as one-sided as the score and shots indicated.

Phil Breno played the first 65 minutes in goal before Abiye Jack, making his NPSL debut, finished out the match in goal. While Breno and Jack shared the shutout, neither recorded a save.

The match also marked the first time the Eskay brothers — Jackson, William and John A. — have played on the same team. John A. Eskay entered the match as a second-half sub for his brother, William. By that point, Jackson was already out of the contest.

Contributor: Sheldon Shealer/FC Frederick
Photo Credit: FC Frederick