Match Highlights
USLW May 27 vs Rally Madison
RKC Third Coast Women’s team started its 2026 season campaign on the road in matches against the Rockford Raptors FC (2-1) and Edgewater (1-0).
The away record did not reflect what RKC was seeking for the beginning of its 2026 season, but coming home did. The home opener against Rally Madison FC was a fruitful 1-0 victory, spearheaded by a 74th-minute goal by Olivia Hernandez and a clean sheet by goalie Ella Kratochvil. “We knew that we needed to win today, and we totally could,” Hernandez said. “It felt so good to keep a clean sheet and win the day.” The first half was a battle towards achieving this victory. Both teams came in with a 0-2 record, putting the pressure on for which team would put a tally in the win category. Rally controlled possession for most of the first half, with four corners and five shots on goal. But Kratochvil was there to save all five, keeping the score even at half. “The defense really stepped up this week, especially in practice, just communication, confidence and trust within the backline. It goes a long way,” Kratocvhil said.
RKC broke through in the 73rd minute with a through ball from Amelia Bubb sent up to Olivia Hernandez. Hernandez took it to the goal and into the net for the game-winning goal. “We just needed to calm down and connect the passes,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes we’re frantic but when we just connected, we could easily get past their defense.” The 1-0 scoreline in favor of RKC put pressure on both teams. But Third Coast was able to battle through the final 13 minutes to secure its first victory of the season. Ella’s key to their success was: “keep our composure.” The women return home to Pritchard Park on Sunday5/31 at 6:00 for a rematch against the Rockford Raptors.
Double Header May 31 vs Rockford Raptors
RKC Third Coast hosted both USL-2 and USL-W Rockford Raptor teams for a double header at Pritchard Park.
The women kicked off the day following their first home victory against Madison Rally on Wednesday. When RKC Third Coast Women met the Rockford Raptors in the season opener it ended in a 2-1 defeat for RKC. Back home a mere eleven days later, it resulted in another loss 1-0. “Obviously we wanted to win this game, we lost to them prior, so I wanted to win this one so it’s a tough loss, but we’ll move on,”Callie Hefner said.
Third Coast’s best chance of the match came in the 21st minute from Ella Stedman, just edging outside of the goal and ricocheting off the right post. Rockford took advantage of RKC’s struggles and found the back of the net in the 49th minute. “I think we’re improving each game so just taking another step into that improvement and getting more shots at goal,” Ella said.
The men’s squad took to the pitch two hours later for their chance at the Raptors in their home opener. While the possession and flow of the game started evenly, an 18th minute curved ball by the Raptors found the back of the net. And in the 67th minute another skilled shot from 27 yards out resulted in Rockford’s second goal of the night, bringing the final scoreline to 2-0.
“It’s been a common trend with the last few games that we create a lot of opportunities but unfortunately we don’t find a way to score, but I think that we just have to keep going and keep pushing,” Bienvenu Djunga said.
The men’s team return to Pritchard Park Wednesday to face Minneapolis City FC at 7 p.m. The women travel to play Minnesota Aurora FC Saturday at 4 p.m.
USL-2: RKC Third Coast versus Minneapolis City SC, June 3rd, 2026
RKC Third Coast men’s team returned to Pritchard Park coming off a 2-0 loss to Rockford Raptors on Sunday.
Their opponents in today’s match, undefeated Minneapolis City, came blazing in their pink lightning bolt kits and defeated RKC 1-0.
Despite the result, man of the match Joao Pinto was pleased with their performance against one of the top teams in the nation, especially amidst many players out due to injury. “We came with the thought that they are seventh in the country, so I think the team did very good. We fought very hard and I think we showed that on the pitch,” Pinto said.
The duo of Nico Pendleton and Bienvenu Djunga commanded the offense in the first half. Pendleton had two shots in the first 10 minutes going just wide, while Djunga controlled the ball up top just missing out on connecting to the goal. The even score line at half was washed away in the 62nd minute by Minneapolis City’s Nathan Donovan to give the visitors the lead.
Minneapolis City scored eight goals in their previous match, while RKC’s back-line was able to hold them to just one in this game. “The work is not done; the job is not finished,” Pinto said. “We just need to come here, next practice, next game and need to improve again.”
The men stay at home for another chance at improvement and victory against St. Croix legends at 6 p.m.
USL-2 RKC Third Coast vs. St. Croix Legends June 7
The RKC Third Coast men’s squad was seeking its first victory since the season opener on May 23rd . After tallying one draw and two back-to-back losses, the success finally came as a 1-0 win over the St. Croix Legends.
Nico Pendleton broke the three-game scoring drought with a strike curled into the net in the 3rd minute. “It was a pretty good shot, picked it up at the top of the box, felt good to see it hit the back of the next,” Pendleton said.
The defense was consistent throughout the full 90 stopping shots, rebounds and successfully clearing it out of RKC’s half. Goalkeeper Patrick Los earned the clean sheet in his third start of the season for Third Coast. “The spirits are high,” Los said. “Full gas, no breaks and go for the three points, we can get top of the league so make the most of it.”
The men end their four-game home campaign Sunday, June 14th at 6 p.m. versus Edgewater Castle FC.