OAKLAND, Calif. – Peter Wilson scored the first hat trick of the 2026 USL Championship season to lead Oakland Roots SC to a 4-2 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on Wednesday night as Wolfgang Prentice recorded a pair of assists for the hosts.
Oakland made a positive start and took the lead in the 18th minute when Prentice’s low cross from the left through the six-yard area was put home by Wilson for his first goal of the season. The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later as Faysel Bettache began a move in midfield and finished it off with a thumping finish to the top-left corner to put Roots ahead by two at the break.
Roots added a third just before the hour-mark as Prentice again set up Wilson for his second goal of the night with the left-sided player sending a sweeping cross in that the Liberian international directed home first time into the right corner. The Lights began their fightback with just over 20 minutes to go, however, when Oalex Anderson was played in behind the back line by Ben Mines shortly after coming on as a substitute and rounded the goalkeeper before finishing into an open net.
The Lights made it a one-goal game in the 78th minute as Nighte Pickering was released into space on the right and centered for Johnny Rodriguez to make an acrobatic finish against his former club into the left corner. Oakland got the chance to ice the game with five minutes to go as Wilson was brought down in the penalty area, allowing Wilson to convert from the spot to complete his hat trick and close out the result for the hosts.
Takeaways
Oakland Roots SC – After a scoreless start to the 2026 campaign, Peter Wilson finally broke out with a hat trick in an excellent performance by the hosts. Using a makeshift back four that included Tommy McCabe at center back and Wolfgang Prentice at left back, Roots controlled the majority of the game, consistently putting Wilson in good positions as he ended the night with a season-high six shots and four shots on target.
Las Vegas Lights FC – The Lights almost made a miraculous comeback as the introduction of Oalex Anderson for his debut sparked a pair of goals for the visitors, but the side was a step slow defensively at times to give Oakland opportunities to find success in the final third. Las Vegas is winless in its last three outings as it prepares for its Prinx Tires USL Cup opener at home to Athletic Club Boise on Saturday night.