June 5, 2024
FC Frederick edges Grove United behind record-setting keeper
BUCKEYSTOWN, Md. — Early in Tuesday’s match, FC Frederick’s Noah Kump allowed one of the softest goals ever in his tenure as a goalkeeper. But to his credit, he rebounded with a record-setting night as FC Frederick held off Grove United, 2-1, at Warner Stadium on the campus of St. John’s Catholic Prep.
Kump, who matched the program’s single-game save record with nine during a loss the previous week to Annapolis Blues FC, did one better on Tuesday with a record 10 saves against Grove United.
And every single one mattered as FC Frederick, outplayed for much of the match, improved to 4-1 and inched into second place in the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference. Grove United fell to 1-3.
Only eight minutes into the match, Grove United’s Onesime Muepu unleashed a powerful left-footed shot directly at Kump. The goalkeeper botched the save attempt as the ball slipped through his hands into the net, stunning the home crowd on Grove United’s first shot.
That was the last time Grove United would find the goal, but not for a lack of trying. The Richmond, Va.-based club took 19 additional shots over the next 82 minutes, but couldn’t beat Kump, who saved 10 of them.
FC Frederick drew even in the 38th minute when Cole Hellert picked the ball off the foot of a Grove United defender, took a touch toward the goal, and then poked the ball past the keeper.
The halftime scoreline of 1-1 seemed fitting as both teams had six shots and committed five fouls. The corner kicks were nearly even, as well.
But in the second half, Grove United’s pace and possession time put FC Frederick under a lot of pressure. However, FC Frederick’s ability to counter proved to be the difference.
Midfielder Yuval Nimrodi, who had been rostered with FC Frederick earlier in the day, collected a Grove United turnover and fed a pass to the right wing for forward Robbie Ryerson. Ryerson took a couple of touches then sent a right-football blast to the far post, beating the Grove United keeper in the 69th minute for the 2-1 lead. Nimrodi and Ryerson had entered the match as subs.
To close out the result, FC Frederick had to rely on Kump and the defense. Between the 77th and 86th minutes, Grove United peppered FC Frederick’s goal with eight shots and earned three corner kicks. One shot hit the crossbar, one whistled just wide of the net, three missed the mark and Kump was required to make saves on the three others.
When the final whistle sounded, FC Frederick not only matched the best-ever 4-1 start of its 2017 season but also tied the program’s record for most regular-season victories (which was set in 2015 and matched in 2017, 2018, and 2022).
FC Frederick gets its first crack at a program-best fifth regular season win this Saturday when it travels to DMV Elite.
NOTES: FC Frederick is 3-1 all-time against Grove United. … Hellert and Ryerson, FC Frederick’s two goal scorers Tuesday, now each have a team-best three for the season. … Ryerson, who didn’t score in his first 16 NPSL matches stretching across three seasons, now has goals in three of FC Frederick’s last four matches. … Hellert has three goals and two assists this season, bringing his three-season career totals to four goals and six assists, which ties him for sixth all-time in points for FC Frederick.
Kump, who matched the program’s single-game save record with nine during a loss the previous week to Annapolis Blues FC, did one better on Tuesday with a record 10 saves against Grove United.
And every single one mattered as FC Frederick, outplayed for much of the match, improved to 4-1 and inched into second place in the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference. Grove United fell to 1-3.
Only eight minutes into the match, Grove United’s Onesime Muepu unleashed a powerful left-footed shot directly at Kump. The goalkeeper botched the save attempt as the ball slipped through his hands into the net, stunning the home crowd on Grove United’s first shot.
That was the last time Grove United would find the goal, but not for a lack of trying. The Richmond, Va.-based club took 19 additional shots over the next 82 minutes, but couldn’t beat Kump, who saved 10 of them.
FC Frederick drew even in the 38th minute when Cole Hellert picked the ball off the foot of a Grove United defender, took a touch toward the goal, and then poked the ball past the keeper.
The halftime scoreline of 1-1 seemed fitting as both teams had six shots and committed five fouls. The corner kicks were nearly even, as well.
But in the second half, Grove United’s pace and possession time put FC Frederick under a lot of pressure. However, FC Frederick’s ability to counter proved to be the difference.
Midfielder Yuval Nimrodi, who had been rostered with FC Frederick earlier in the day, collected a Grove United turnover and fed a pass to the right wing for forward Robbie Ryerson. Ryerson took a couple of touches then sent a right-football blast to the far post, beating the Grove United keeper in the 69th minute for the 2-1 lead. Nimrodi and Ryerson had entered the match as subs.
To close out the result, FC Frederick had to rely on Kump and the defense. Between the 77th and 86th minutes, Grove United peppered FC Frederick’s goal with eight shots and earned three corner kicks. One shot hit the crossbar, one whistled just wide of the net, three missed the mark and Kump was required to make saves on the three others.
When the final whistle sounded, FC Frederick not only matched the best-ever 4-1 start of its 2017 season but also tied the program’s record for most regular-season victories (which was set in 2015 and matched in 2017, 2018, and 2022).
FC Frederick gets its first crack at a program-best fifth regular season win this Saturday when it travels to DMV Elite.
NOTES: FC Frederick is 3-1 all-time against Grove United. … Hellert and Ryerson, FC Frederick’s two goal scorers Tuesday, now each have a team-best three for the season. … Ryerson, who didn’t score in his first 16 NPSL matches stretching across three seasons, now has goals in three of FC Frederick’s last four matches. … Hellert has three goals and two assists this season, bringing his three-season career totals to four goals and six assists, which ties him for sixth all-time in points for FC Frederick.