Contributed by Steven Torres
Forward Zaire Bartley scored both goals to give New York Cosmos B a 2:0 victory over visiting FC Frederick of Md. in the NPSL’s (National Premier Soccer League) Northeast Region Semifinal on Wednesday evening at Hofstra University Soccer Stadium in Hempstead, Long Island.
Cosmos B, which captured North Atlantic Conference title over the weekend, got on the board just before halftime against Mid Atlantic Conference winner FC Frederick with a tally from Bartley off an assist from Honduran forward Darwin Espinal.
Bartley would score his second of the match, and fourth in last three playoff encounters, in the 77th minute-mark from a pass by former U.S. international midfielder Danny Szetela.
The victory also extended Cosmos B’s unbeaten NPSL record to 11-0-1 mark, while FC Frederick ends 2018 season with a 5-5-3 ledger.
Cosmos B will now host FC Motown of N.J. in the NPSL Northeast Region Final at Columbia University’s Rocco Commisso Stadium on Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 pm ET. FC Motown reached Saturday’s encounter after defeating FC Baltimore, 3:0, in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
NPSL’s Northeast Region Semifinal
07.18.2018: Hempstead, N.Y.; Hofstra University Soccer Stadium (A: 190)
NEW YORK COSMOS B – FC FREDERICK 2:0 (1:0)
Zaire BARTLEY 45’, 77’
NY Cosmos B: Kevin Tenjo - Jonathan Borrajo, Alejandro Penzini, John Neeskens (81: Alexis Velela), Wojciech Wojcik (84: Ivan Berterame), Danny Szetela (88: Ryan Adeleye), Zaire Bartley, Darwin Espinal (78: Joseph Sanchez), Garrett Halfhill, Travis Pittman, Jalen Brown. Booked: none
Coach: Carlos Mendes
FC Frederick: Philip Breno - Justin Lee (64: Luke Ahalt), Bilal Hassane (57: Christian Morales), Saidou Toure (70: Drew Demich), Graham Guidry, Nate Lee (77: Austin Thames), Tommy Spear, William Eskay, Brian Flatter (46: John Eskay), Jacob Wilkinson, Kevin Morris. Booked: none
Coach: Chris Spinks
Written by Steven Torres