May 27, 2026
WEEK THREE TEAM OF THE WEEK: RI ROGUES FC
Facing the reigning conference and league champions is always a daunting task. Beating them is what can make or break a season. That is exactly what RI Rogues FC did on Sunday, handing the defending Northeastern Conference, East Region, and WPSL champions in decisive fashion in the only meeting between the two clubs this season.
Nadja Meite scored in the second minute, Dylan Lochhead scored in the 12th minute, and Gabriella Del Pico made it 3-0 in front of an ecstatic crowd at Rhode Island College. By the time Sporting did manage to pull a goal back in the 83rd minute, the incredible victory was all but sealed, earning RI Rogues FC Week Three Team of the Week presented by SOMETHINGINKED.
“The most important part of the game was making sure we were hard to play against. That meant being hungry and humble for 90-plus minutes. We have been training hard to establish our style of play, and we were excited to see our identity come through during the match,”
Brandon Iannelli, RI Rogues FC head coach, said.
Iannelli entered the match with a clear understanding of what to expect from Sporting. Rogues faced Sporting twice in 2025 falling in both matches: 5-2 in Middletown to open the season, and 4-3 barnburner to close out the regular season that saw Rogues FC score three second-half goals in a huge comeback effort that fell just short.
“They are a very solid team with talent, togetherness, and a clear way of playing that suits their athletes well,” Inannelli said.
Sunday’s match kicked off exceptionally for Rogues FC. Its attack from the opening whistle resulted in a dangerous free kick in the sixth minute, which was sublimely taken by Meite.
“Nadja Meite was exceptional. Not only for scoring a beautiful early free kick, but also consistently showing her quality in midfield. She made countless dangerous passes that led to chances and reacted quickly in transition to win the ball back, Inannelli said.
Even with the early goal, Rogues FC did not let up on the gas, doubling the lead ten minutes later off a corner kick.
Rogues FC came out of the dressing room at halftime just as focused. De Pico made it 3-0 just five minutes into the second stanza making a hard run into the box to finish with her head.
“Gabby [Del Pico] played a key role in the middle. She created a lot of uncertainty for our opponents and helped us attack the space behind their back line,” Iannelli said. “She scored an unreal header early in the second half which gave the team even more energy to keep pushing forward.”
After Del Pico’s spectacular goal, it came down to the tactical and mental discipline of Rogue’s defense as Sporting threw numbers forward searching to get back into the game.
“The reason we were able to be expressive in attack and play with confidence was because our back line was tremendous,” Iannelli said. “Julianne Ross did an unbelievable job winning the first and second balls, defending in the penalty box, and keeping our backline connected and organized.”
RI Rogues FC travel to New Haven, Conn. Saturday to face expansion side CT Rush (1-0-0). Rush topped sister expansion side Vale SC 2-1 in the club’s league debut.
“I could not be more proud of the team. We still have to keep improving at playing our football, but the team’s effort was tops on Sunday. As a club, we are very excited to keep growing together to reach our full potential this season,” Iannelli said.
