Thunderbirds Drop Second Straight Game, Fall to Madison at Home

Article by: Brett Gombita

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Thunderbirds (0-2) fell 21-17 to the Madison Radicals (2-0) on Friday night at F.N.B. Stadium.


Jimmy Towle makes a leaping grab in the end-zone for a goal in the 4th quarter vs Madison | Photo: Jeff Gamza

Dylan Best and Anson Reppermund tied for the team lead with three goals each. Clint McSherry paced Pittsburgh with five assists, while Reppermund, Lucas Storm, and Noah Celuch each recorded two blocks on the defensive end.

Pittsburgh, playing without multiple key contributors, struck first just two-and-a-half minutes into the game when Pete Zaccardi finished a bookend score for his first goal of the season, putting the Thunderbirds ahead 2-1 off an assist from Harry Park, also his first of 2026.


Pete Zaccardi emphatically spikes the Frisbee after scoring the games first break | Photo: Jeff Gamza

Reppermund, making his season debut, made an immediate impact on defense, recording his first block of the year in the back corner of the end zone late in the first quarter.

The game was tied 4-4 after the opening 12 minutes.

Madison had not led since the opening score before retaking control early in the second quarter, going up 5-4.

Late in the second, both teams traded two-goal runs. Madison first built a 7-5 advantage, but Pittsburgh responded with two straight scores, highlighted by a toe-tapping, highlight-reel catch from McSherry on a deflected pass. Madison answered with two of its own to close the half ahead 9-7.


Clint McSherry reaches out for a catch mid-way through the 2nd quarter vs Madison | Photo: Jeff Gamza

The Thunderbirds opened the second half with momentum, cutting the deficit to one when Kevin Nicholl scored his first goal of the season following a Celuch block.

However, similar to the season opener against the Montreal Royal, Pittsburgh struggled to sustain momentum in the third quarter as Madison pulled away to a 15-11 lead by the end of the frame.

Pittsburgh briefly responded early in the fourth quarter with two quick goals in under two minutes, the second again set up by a Celuch block, which sent the Pittsburgh home crowd into a frenzy. Madison quickly answered however with two of its own and closed out the game to secure the win.

Looking Ahead

The Thunderbirds now enter a two-week break before returning to action on May 29 at 7:30 p.m. in New York, where they will face the New York Empire in what will be Pittsburgh’s first road game of the 2026 season.

The very next day, Pittsburgh travels to Philadelphia on May 30 to take on the Philadelphia Phoenix in a doubleheader weekend matchup, where the teams will compete for the Commonwealth Cup.

Both away games can be seen on WatchUFA.tv or by clicking here.

Pittsburgh returns home on June 6 at F.N.B. Stadium to host the Carolina Flyers. The night will feature Superhero Night, along with $1.00 Dollar Hot Dog Night.

Tickets for June 6 contest can be purchased here.