Hickory FC continued its strong start to the 2026 USL League Two season Saturday night, rallying for a 2-1 victory over South Carolina United Bantams at Moretz Stadium in Hickory.

The win kept the momentum rolling for Hickory FC, which entered the weekend coming off consecutive victories over Asheville City and North Carolina FC U23. Hickory improved to 3-0 in league play with the home victory.

Playing in front of an energetic home crowd of 3,151 fans in its home opener, Hickory weathered an early challenge from South Carolina United before finding its rhythm in the attack.

Hickory FC scored first on a brilliant free kick by Martin Kozak from 20 yards out from the left side in the 34th minute. The Chilean native curled it beautifully into the right corner of the net for the first score of the night.

Early in the second half Hickory scored again. In the 48th minute, once again on another free kick taken by Kozak, Ivan Morcillo headed the ball into the back of the net as Hickory extended the lead to 2-0.

South Carolina answered with their first goal of the night in the 55th minute off of a corner kick.

Hickory’s pressure in the attacking third created several dangerous opportunities throughout the evening, while the back line and goalkeeping unit helped preserve the one-goal advantage late in the second half. South Carolina United pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer, but Hickory consistently turned away the pressure to secure all three points.

The victory continued an impressive opening stretch for the club in its inaugural USL League Two campaign. Hickory had already earned road wins against both Asheville City and NCFC U23 entering Saturday’s match.

Saturday’s matchup marked Hickory FC’s first-ever home USL League Two meeting against South Carolina United. The club has quickly established itself as one of the early surprise teams in the division after joining the league for the 2026 season.

Hickory FC returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts the Charlotte Eagles at Moretz Stadium.