HAGERSTOWN, Md. — More than 300 fans turned out Saturday night at North Hagerstown High School to witness the first home match in Hub City FC Black Roses history, and the home team rewarded them with a 6-1 victory over Grove United of Richmond, Virginia.
Joshua Wisdom recorded a hat trick, James Pele Sesay contributed a goal and two assists, and Carson Feeser scored the first home goal in franchise history as Hub City improved to 2-1 in National Premier Soccer League play with its second consecutive victory.
Hub City FC president and head coach Michael Long was pleased with both the result and the turnout.
“The crowd was fantastic,” Long said. “We had lots of people here. The whole thing was created for our players and our fans. So far, these guys have been super appreciative. They’ve been treated well, they’re playing great, and we’re off to a fantastic start for the franchise.”
The Black Roses are Washington County’s first semi-professional soccer franchise.
“Nothing like this has ever been in Washington County before, this level of play,” Long said.
The Black Roses wasted little time making an impression in front of their home crowd.
In the third minute, former Grace Academy standout Carson Feeser scored on an assist from former North Hagerstown standout Drew Lobley to give Hub City a 1-0 lead. The pairing was a fitting one for the first home goal in franchise history, as both players are 2025 high school graduates from the Hagerstown area.
“It was super exciting,” Feeser said. “It was a pleasure to see all the fans happy and celebrate with my teammates.
“I overlapped Drew, and he passed it to me. We used to play together back when we were little, in middle school and elementary school, so it was fun to get a little flashback to that. It was special to score the first one.”
Hub City doubled its lead in the 26th minute when Sesay scored off an assist from Anthony Mpala Nzuzi.
Grove United cut the deficit to 2-1 on a penalty kick by Kelvin Mutaya Mwape in the 33rd minute, but Hub City responded quickly. Just two minutes later, Wisdom scored off a feed from Sesay to restore the two-goal advantage and send the Black Roses into halftime with a 3-1 lead.
Hub City pulled away in the second half.
Mac Long scored on a header off an assist from Sesay in the 61st minute to make it 4-1. Feeser then stole possession and set up Wisdom for another goal in the 64th minute.
Wisdom completed his hat trick with an unassisted goal in the 68th minute.
“We’ve been working hard in training all week to bring a performance like this in front of our fans and supporters,” Wisdom said. “It’s something the coach has been insisting on, and we’re happy we delivered.
“Since our first match, we’ve just been getting better and better, really trying to unite as one.”
Sesay said the team hoped to make a strong first impression on the community.
“It was our first home game, and we tried to make a statement and get the attention of the community,” Sesay said. “What we have here, we want the community to be part of it.”
Playing in front of a hometown crowd made the night even more meaningful.
“There’s nothing more fun than playing in front of your family, your friends and your community,” Sesay said. “Our main objective tonight was to show the community that this is part of them, that we want them to be part of the Black Roses.”
Hub City returns to action on Saturday, June 6, when it hosts District Elite at North Hagerstown High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
