After a historic 2023 season for Delaware Rising, we look ahead to the 2024 campaign including new players, new formats, & the chase for another championship.
With less than a month until the 2024 Northern Ohio Soccer League season kicks off, there’s no time like the present to give a preview of the upcoming men’s and women’s seasons. 2024 will see the expansion of both the men’s and women’s leagues as well as some major updates to the league format.
The women return for their 2nd season & are primed to repeat as league champions.
In the inaugural Women’s NOSL (WNOSL) season, Delaware Rising finished as league champions in a thrilling 2-1 win over City of Ohio SC on the back of two PK goals from Kindall Duke & Sarah Gundler & a championship worthy performance in net by Brianna Rogers. Along with the trophy, the Rising grabbed their fair share of individual hardware as Rachel Austin won the League MVP, Lindsey Whitmore finished as the league’s top scorer, & both players joined Brianna Rogers, Lexie Syroka, & Kindall Duke on WNOSL’s team of the season.
The 2023 NOSL Championship Squad
Moving forward to 2024, the Rising look to build upon the success of 2023 as they chase the 2nd championship in team history. The Rising will see many familiar faces returning for a 2nd season in a Rising kit including: forwards Rachel Austin & Lindsey Whitmore, midfielders Kindall Duke & Sarah Gundler, and defenders Lexie Syroka, & Jamison Murphy to name a few. Delaware will also welcome the return of head coach Evan Wherley & assistant coach Nathan Chwalik, as well as newly appointed assistant coach & former player Elise Schneller. There are also a plethora of new signings from the offseason tryouts, Reese Hinkle, Sydney Thomas, Ashley Green, Kasey Duke, Rileigh Glassburn, Holly Ennis, Clara Richardson, and Ella Schwertfager all excitedly awaiting their debut for the Rising, with further signings expected as the start of the season approaches. Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming announcement of the full women’s squad.
WNOSL has expanded to 5 teams, with Süsserfuss Ballverein out of Kent, OH joining the league for the 2024 season. The newcomers will face Delaware Rising twice this season, home on June 15th & away on June 23rd. The season starts with a familiar foe as Panthers FC face-off against the Rising in a rematch of the 2023 semifinals, with the match taking place on Sunday, May 12th at 7:00pm at Buckeye Valley High School.
Other key match-ups for the 2024 season
City of Ohio SC (Home: May 19th at BVHS, Away: July 6th at COSC)
Mansfield Liederkranz, Home: June 29th, away: June 2nd
Panthers SC, Home: May 12th, away: June 9th
See the full women’s schedule here
The Delaware Rising men return for their 4th season, looking to continue their playoff streak, but striving for more.
2023 was a season of transition as former Rising keeper & assistant coach Chris Stohl assumed head coaching duties & helmed the Rising to a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance. The chase for a NOSL Cup came to a premature end as the Rising fell by a score of 3-1 at the hands of Ashland United in the first round of the NOSL Playoffs. Ryan Miller provided the lone goal for the Rising with Evan Wherley earning Man of the Match honors. In terms of postseason awards, midfielder Landon Kuhn was named to the NOSL Team of the Season & led the team in scoring with a total of 7 goals including a hat trick on the road against Mansfield Liederkranz.
The men huddle up prior to a thrilling 1-1 draw at Greater Columbus FC
In 2024, the men will look to build momentum with multiple returning players including team MVP Landon Kuhn, midfield mainstay Ryan Miller, standout defenders Alex Brown & Cooper Solomon, forward Mason Morris, & the goalkeeper tandem of Connor Sexton & Gabriel Thomas all reprising their roles on the squad. Head Coach Josh Diehl joined the Delaware Rising staff late in the 2023 season & assumed full coaching duties ahead of the December tryouts, Chris Stohl will stay on as an assistant coach for the season. With key pieces returning for 2024, the men are hungry for another playoff appearance & to bring the NOSL Cup to Delaware for the first time. There are also lots new signings from the offseason tryouts with Sam Bechtel, Quinn Berry, Brayden Courtney, Zach Hunt, Kai Mays, and Aiden Miller announced already with further signings expected as the start of the season approached. Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming announcement of the full men’s squad.
Ahead of the season, NOSL expanded to 18 teams & announced major changes to the league structure. New in 2024, NOSL will be split into 2 divisions with a promotion/relegation setup, with the top 4 teams making the playoffs & the bottom 2 teams risking relegation. In the Second Division, the top team will be automatically promoted with the next 3 teams going to a playoff to determine the final team to be promoted. Delaware Rising will be participating in the First Division in 2024. Further information about the new league setup can be found on the league website
Also new in 2024, NOSL introduced the Stimulus League Cup, a single-elimination tournament to be played concurrent to the regular league season. The Stimulus League Cup is sponsored by Minneapolis-based kit manufacturer Stimulus Athletic, and will feature teams from both the First and Second Divisions. Delaware Rising will participate in the tournament with their first match scheduled for Wednesday, May 22nd at 7pm against Mansfield Liederkranz II. Further information about the Stimulus League Cup can be found here
With Delaware participating in the First Division, they will see familiar foes & new ones. The season kicks off with a major test against Greater Columbus FC on Sunday, May 12th at 5:30pm at Buckeye Valley High School.
Other key match-ups for 2024
Ambassadors FC, away: May 18th
Mansfield Liederkranz, Home: June 26th
Pali United, Home: June 15th
Inter Columbus, Home: June 1st
See the full men’s schedule here
2024 will no doubt a season of high expectations & top-level soccer. Be sure to stay tuned for match previews & recaps as the season progresses. #uptherising
