Week 2 Recap: Highs, Lows, and Hat Tricks for Delaware Rising FC
Delaware Rising Football Club gave us a rollercoaster of emotions in Week 2 — some serious highs, a couple of tough moments, but above all, a whole lot of pride in the crest. Both the Women’s and Men’s teams laced up, battled hard, and showed that the spirit of Up the Rising is alive and well in Delaware, Ohio.
Women’s Team: A Tale of Two Matches
Match 1: Rising vs. Panthers FC – A Statement Win (3-0)
On a sun-soaked evening at Crestview High School, the Rising Women came out flying against Panthers FC. From the first whistle, the energy was electric — pressing high, connecting passes, and asserting dominance all over the pitch.
Goals came from three different players — the kind of team effort that tells you this squad isn’t just deep, they’re dangerous.
Lindsey Whitmore broke the deadlock early, calmly slotting home after a slick build-up.
Kindall Duke followed with a beautiful finish from the penalty spot.
And then — oh yes — Ali De Gracia, pushed up and buried one to put the nail in the coffin from a long way out.
Ali wasn’t just the Player of the Match for scoring. She anchored the backline, snuffed out Panther attacks, and still found the legs to get forward and score.
Match 2: Rising vs. Susserfuss Ballverein – A Tough 3-0 Loss
The second match of the week was a tough one. The Rising ladies held their own in long stretches but couldn’t find the breakthrough, eventually falling 3-0.
But in the thick of the fight, Avery Curtin stayed strong for our midfield. She never stopped running, battled every 50/50, and was a calming presence in possession. Even in defeat, she showed the kind of grit that keeps us proud.
Men’s Team: Topple’s the Opponent (6-0 over Mahoning Trumbull United)
Delaware Rising’s Men’s side? Pure fireworks. They hosted Mahoning Trumbull United and treated the home fans to a six-goal showcase. It was the kind of night where the scoreboard barely kept up.
The attacking movement was fluid, the defense was rock solid, and the chemistry? Chef’s kiss.
Goal scorers:
Aidan Shepardson kicked things off with a confident finish.
Beelal Hasan added a second with style and pace.
Landon Kuhn got on the scoresheet too, linking up beautifully with the midfield.
And then came the hat trick. Ryan Miller, our maestro in the middle, put on a clinic. Three goals. Vision, movement, ruthless finishing — Miller was everywhere.
No surprise he took home Player of the Match honors. He owned that midfield.
Looking Ahead
We’re only in Week 2, and already Delaware Rising is turning heads. The women’s team has shown they can shut out opponents and bounce back strong, while the men’s team sent a message that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
If you’re not already in the stands, what are you waiting for? This club is building something special. One game at a time. One goal at a time. One heart-filled performance after another.
Let’s carry the momentum. Let’s pack the stands. And as always...
UP THE RISING.
