FC Frederick Plays Its Way into Playoff Contention

When FC Frederick wins, it makes no doubt about it.

Bilal Hassane and Jacob Gosselin scored first-half goals and Jake Wilkinson and John Eskay added second-half goals to propel FC Frederick to a 4-0 NPSL victory over Charlottesville Alliance FC on Saturday night at Hood College.

The win allows FC Frederick (4-4-1) to move into third place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference with one match remaining. FC Frederick’s final regular season match is Monday at Charlottesville, and a win will lock up a playoff spot as the top three teams advance to postseason play.

FC Frederick keeper Camden Cook was in goal for the shutout, recording two saves.

FC Frederick has four wins this season, all by three goals or more.

A couple team records fell Saturday night with FC Frederick’s victory.

Hassane, who played at Frederick Community College and will suit up for the new Mount St Mary’s NCAA Division I program this fall, gave FC Frederick a lead five minutes into the match with an unassisted goal. Hassane picked off a pass about 25 yards out from goal, took a few touches and sent a low shot on goal that was mishandled by the keeper and ended up in the net. His score tied a club record for earliest goal in a match.

In the closing minute of the first half, Gosselin poked the ball away from a Charlottesville player, straight to Justin Lee. Lee then passed it back to Gosselin who made a lengthy run down the right side before his far post shot beat the keeper for a 2-0 lead in the 45th minute. Gosselin’s goal was his eighth of the season, setting a new single-season goalscoring record for FC Frederick.

Wilkinson’s goal came after a scramble in front of the net in which the defender, while falling to the ground, was able to poke the ball past the keeper for a 3-0 lead in the 66th minute. Trent Tarnstrom was credited with the assist. Eskay, a recent high school graduate who will be playing for William & Mary in the fall, netted his first NPSL goal in the 85th minute to cap the scoring. Brian Flatter assisted Eskay’s goal.

FC Frederick outshot Charlottesville Alliance 18-4, and Charlottesville had only one shot in the first half.

Connor Jones played all 90 minutes in goal for Charlottesville and recorded five saves.

The match turned chippy in the final 30 minutes, which saw three yellow cards and a red issued between the 62nd and 84th minutes.

FC Frederick plays the return match at Charlottesville on Monday, July 2. At 4-4-1 and a plus +17 goal differential, FC Frederick is comfortably in third place on 13 points. Charlottesville (3-4-1) started Saturday’s match in third place, but now sits in fourth with 10 points.

Contributor: Sheldon Shealer/FC Frederick
\Photo Credit: Cody Cervenka