WPSL Third Coast: ‘Queens of the Emerald Coast’ remain undefeated
Pensacola FC stays undefeated and takes the division lead with a 2-1 win against TLH Reckoning at Tallahassee.
Pensacola FC women’s senior team coach Chandler Castleman said his players are proud of the club’s championship legacy but are building their own identity. CREDIT: Ken Garner
PFC women writing their own story
During the livestream of Pensacola FC’s Women’s Premier Soccer League match Saturday against Tallahassee’s TLH Reckoning, the announcer suggested the Lady Pelicans have been called “the Queens of the Emerald Coast.”
That was news to PFC coach Chandler Castleman.
“I think we should be considered a powerhouse with the quality of players we have and the amount of staff, money, and time that we are committing to this program,” Castleman said, but “I can assure you that we aren’t talking about ourselves in a way that would be putting us on a pedestal. What the women’s team achieved many years ago and the history we have is just that, it’s a thing of the past and it’s absolutely something that we should value and we reflect on with great joy.”
Championship pedigree
The Tallahassee announcer didn’t use the term sarcastically and was generally complimentary of the Pelicans — who beat the Reckoning 2-1 to remain undefeated (3-0-0, 9 points) and move into first place in the WPSL Gulf Coast Conference’s Third Coast Division. The Lady Pelicans have outscored their opponents 10-1.
But these Pensacola players don’t feel like royalty.
The women’s program does have a championship pedigree, winning WPSL national titles in 2013 and 2019, and playing in the finals in 2017 and 2018. Two former Pensacola players are on National Women’s Soccer League rosters — Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville) and Emily Sams (Orlando Pride). Sams, who played at Navarre High School and Florida State University, is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
But Pensacola FC moved to United Women’s Soccer in 2020 (when the WPSL canceled its season because of COVID) and hadn’t played in the WPSL since the 2019 championship match until last month.
‘A new starting point’
Castleman said the 2025 Pelicans “are at a new starting point” in the league, but “we fully intend to be in regionals in July and we will see what kind of run we can make.”
The top two teams in the Third Coast and Delta Basin divisions will compete for the conference title; conference champions will play for the South Region crown and regional winners advance to the national tournament.
“We want to create a culture and environment where top players want to come play for Pensacola and be a part of something that hopefully furthers their development as players, let’s them enjoy a city that we all love, and compete for regional and national trophies,” he said.
Pelicans 2, Reckoning 1
Goalkeeper Mia Ferkranus blocked a penalty kick in the 84th minute Saturday, helping Pensacola FC hold on for a 2-1 win against TLH Reckoning in Tallahassee. CREDIT: University of West Florida
Pensacola took a 2-0 lead in the 77th minute when Paige Phillips’ shot took what Castleman called “a wicked deflection” off a defender’s foot and looped over the Tallahassee keeper.
Sasha Manders scored three minutes later — netting the first goal against Pensacola this season — when her quick shot from about 30 yards out flew over PFC goalkeeper Mia Frekranus’ head, hit the left post and spun back across the goal line.
Manders had an opportunity to even the score in the 84th minute after Pensacola was called for a handball in the box, but Frekranus dove to her right and deflected the ball away from goal; Manders got to the ball, but her one-timer flew well over the crossbar.
“Mia played very well and was huge in terms of denying what would have been the game-tying penalty,” Castleman said. “Our keepers are involved heavily in the build-up and…we are asking different things from her in terms of her range of passing and where we want the balls played.
“I think she’s improving very quickly, and she applies (coaches’) feedback very quickly.”
Ferkranus wasn’t the only Pelican whose play earned praise. Castleman said the back line of Bailey Erwin, Bela Labović and Aila Swinton has been “nothing short of incredible.”
“I’m very proud of what they’ve done for us so far and I’m looking forward to what that looks like as the season progresses,” he added.
Pensacola FC defender Bela Labović earned Player of the Match honors for her work Saturday against TLH Reckoning. CREDIT: Pensacola FC
Labović earned Player of the Match honors for her work at center back.
“Bela played centrally in the back three and was massive all game,” Castleman said. “Dominated in the air, started most of our buildups with purpose, and was constantly communicating and organizing. Late in the second half, she made a huge one-v-one slide tackle to deny a clear goal-scoring chance.
“Her energy is always top level, and she set the tone again with her intensity and willingness to compete; (she) led the group exactly how we needed.”
PFC Academy 3, Gulf Coast United 1
Pensacola FC’s other women’s team, the Academy (1-2-1, 4 points), beat Gulf Coast United FC 3-1 in Gulfport, Miss., earning its first win and handing United (2-1-1, 7 points) its first loss of the season.
Michelle Melancon scored twice (in the 16th and 33rd minutes) and Mia Witkin added a goal in the 63rd for the Pelicans. Aubrie Edwards netted United’s loan goal in the 69th.
NEXT UP
PFC Academy has a pair of home matches this week, at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Union 10 FC (1-2-0, 3 points) and at 3 p.m. Saturday against the Reckoning.
The senior team will play at 4 p.m. Saturday against Gulf Coast United.
STANDINGS
1. Pensacola FC, 3-0-0, 9 points, +8*
2. Gulf Coast United, 2-1-1, 7 points, 0
3. TLH Reckoning, 2-2-0, 6 points, + 3
4. PFC Academy, 1-2-1, 4 points, -5
5. Florida Roots, 1-3-0, 3 points, -3
6. Union 10 FC, 1-2-0, 3 points, -4
*WPSL caps goal differential at +8; PFC has scored nine goals more than its opponents).
SCORES
Saturday, May 24
• Florida Roots 2, PFC Academy 1
• Gulf Coast United FC 2, TLH Reckoning 1
Wednesday, May 28
• TLH Reckoning 2, Florida Roots 1
• Gulf Coast United 2, Union 10 FC 1
• Pensacola FC 6, PFC Academy 0
Saturday, May 31
• TLH Reckoning 1, Pensacola FC 2
• Union 10 FC 2, Florida Roots 1
• Gulf Coast United 1, PFC Academy 3
UPCOMING MATCHES
(Times CDT)
WEEK FIVE
Wednesday, June 4
• PFC Academy vs. Union 10 FC, 6 p.m., Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, Pensacola, Fla.
Saturday, June 7
• PFC Academy vs. TLH Reckoning, 3 p.m., Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, Pensacola, Fla.
• Gulf Coast United vs. Pensacola FC, 4 p.m., Herbert Wilson Stadium, Gulfport, Miss.
• Florida Roots vs. Union 10 FC, 7:15 p.m., Joe Etheredge Stadium, Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Sunday, June 8
• Florida Roots vs. Gulf Coast United, 3 p.m., Joe Etheredge Stadium, Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.