This past Sunday, Delaware Rising FC kicked off our fifth season in the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) with a doubleheader that had everything we love about this club—new faces, returning veterans, a loud home crowd, and plenty of grit. Both our women’s and men’s teams opened their 2025 campaigns on home turf, and while the results went in different directions, the passion and fight were unmistakable.
Women’s Match: Tough Result, Strong Foundation
The women’s side opened the day against a sharp Ohio City SC team, ultimately falling 0–2. But don’t let the score fool you—this was a composed, hard-fought performance from a great group. With a mix of new additions and returning players, the team showed signs of cohesion and resilience that will elevate them for the season ahead.
Player of the Match honors went to Myah Byers, who anchored the backline with confidence and poise. As a center defender, she was a rock—winning tackles, organizing the shape, and stepping up in big moments. Her leadership in the heart of the defense had a huge impact on the pitch. This is a squad with promise. The chemistry is building, and the fight is already there.
Men’s Match: Goals, Grit, and Three Points
The men’s match brought fireworks in a wild 6–4 win over Wooster FC. From the first whistle, it was an open, attacking affair. Delaware Rising came out on top thanks to relentless pressure and a spread of scoring across the lineup.
Here’s how the goals shook out:
Lincoln Wallace scored twice, making defenders pay with his pace and nose for the goal.
Brent Rader added two more to the scoreline.
A Wooster own goal gave us a lift after a dangerous ball into the box.
And Eli Traber, our center back, got on the scoresheet with a class finish off of a corner.
Traber also took home Player of the Match honors—and for good reason. He brought leadership, physicality, and determination to the backline, while also contributing a clutch goal. In a match that demanded both toughness and composure, he delivered both.
Looking Ahead: The Spirit Remains
Five seasons in, and Delaware Rising is still growing but the core values haven’t changed. We saw it this weekend in every challenge, every sprint, every cheer from the sideline. These teams are built on hard work, unity, and pride in the crest.
The women’s team laid a solid foundation and showed they’re ready to push forward. The men’s team lit up the scoreboard and walked away with three points. Together, they’ve launched the season with heart—and there's more to come.
This club isn’t just rising… it’s thriving.
#UpTheRising
