Week 4: Big Win, Bigger Momentum

Week 4 Recap: Big Wins, Bigger Momentum for Delaware Rising FC
By Your Dedicated Delaware Rising FC Supporter

Week 4 brought goals, grit, and another wave of momentum for Delaware Rising FC. 

Let’s break it down.

Women’s Team: Six Goals, One Statement Win

The Rising Women were back and absolutely flying this weekend, picking up a commanding 6-1 win over Panthers FC. From start to finish, the match was all DRFC — sharp passing, relentless pressure, and a real display of team chemistry.

This one was a showcase of shared brilliance:

• Megan Michels opened the scoring, calmly finishing off a crisp corner from Erin Hudson.

• Kindall Duke followed with a fantastic goal.

• Lindsey Castillo slotted home another, this time from a smart assist by Avery Curtin.

• Then came Ally Curtin, taking matters into her own hands with a goal.

• Alexis Ivory added to the tally, set up perfectly by Avery Settles.

• And to close it out, Ashley Green tucked away the sixth, assisted by Kasey Duke.
  

The Player of the Match? Lindsey Castillo — composed, clinical, and consistently dangerous. Her presence on the ball changed the game, and her finish was textbook.

This squad is heating up at the right time — and if you're not watching them play yet, you're seriously missing out.

Men’s Team: A Win by Forfeit, but the Water Still Rises

Sometimes, a win is a win — even when it doesn’t come the way we’d hoped. The Rising Men were set to clash with Stark County United, but the visitors were forced to forfeit due to a lack of available players, resulting in a 3-0 victory for Delaware.

It’s not how the team wanted to earn points, but the result helps build momentum after a hard-fought Week 3 and keeps the squad fresh and focused on what's next — and what’s next is a big one.

Looking Ahead: All Eyes on the Cup and a Big Test for the Women

🚨 Next Up for the Men: League Cup Showdown
📆 June 3
🆚 Mansfield Liederkranz
🏟️ Location: Otterbein University

This isn't a regular league match — it's a League Cup battle, and the Rising will be looking to make a statement. With fresh legs and plenty of attacking firepower, expect the boys to come out firing.

⚽ Next Up for the Women: Major League Test
📆 June 7
🆚 Twinsburg United
🏟️ Location: Tiger Stadium

Twinsburg will be a real challenge, but this Rising team is riding high off a dominant Week 4. With goals coming from all over the pitch and chemistry growing stronger every match, confidence will be key heading into this matchup.

Whether you're following from the stands or streaming from home, there's never been a better time to support your local club. Week 4 showed us just how much talent and spirit Delaware Rising FC brings to the field. And trust me — the best is still to come.

Let’s pack the stands, raise the noise, and keep this energy rolling.

Week 3: Hard Battles at Home

Week 3 Recap: A Hard-Fought Battle and a Big Weekend Ahead
By a Loyal Delaware Rising FC Supporter

With the Women’s team on a well-earned bye week, all eyes turned to the Rising Men’s squad as they took the field Saturday at Buckeye Valley High School for what turned out to be an intense, gritty clash with Ashland United.

And while the final score wasn’t in our favor with a narrow 2-1 loss, this match was a testament to just how much heart and resilience Delaware Rising FC brings to every game.

Men’s Team: Falling Just Short in a Fight to the Final Whistle

The sun was high, the crowd was loud, and the atmosphere was electric as the Rising hosted Ashland United in front of our home faithful. The match was physical, fast-paced, and fiercely contested from the first whistle to the last.

Delaware struck first, thanks to a moment of pure class from Mason Morris, who bent a free kick into the back of the net with pinpoint precision midway through the first half.

Ashland managed to edge ahead with a second in the later stages of the game, but Rising didn’t stop fighting for even a second. From backline battles to attacking surges in the closing minutes, the boys in blue gave everything they had.

It wasn’t the result we wanted but make no mistake: this team is tough, talented, and absolutely relentless.

Looking Ahead: June 1st Doubleheader at Buckeye Valley High School

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and bring your friends… June 1st is going to be HUGE.

For the second time this season, both our Women’s and Men’s teams will take the pitch on the same day, right here at Buckeye Valley High School in a doubleheader showdown.

🕐 Women’s Match – 1:00 PM
🕔 Men’s Match – 5:00 PM

It’s more than a game day, it’s a full-on Delaware Rising celebration. Expect passion. Expect noise. Expect our teams to come out hungry and ready to represent the 740 with pride.

Whether you’ve been in the stands since day one or you're just discovering the magic of local football, now is the time to get behind your club.

Let’s fill the stands. Let’s raise our voices. Let’s show the Northern Ohio Soccer League what Up the Rising truly means.

Week 2: Up The Rising

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.

Week 1: Delaware Rising FC

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

Get Ready to Rise!

The chill of winter is finally fading, and that means one thing: soccer is back!

Get ready to cheer on your Delaware Rising Football Club as both our men's and women's teams gear up for another thrilling season in the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL). We're hitting the pitch with renewed energy, a roster full of talent, and a burning desire to bring home the championship. From Columbus to Northeast Ohio, we'll be battling it out against the best NOSL has to offer, and we can't wait to share the excitement with you, our incredible fans.

This season promises to be bigger and better than ever. Both squads have been working tirelessly in the off-season, honing their skills and building team chemistry. Expect to see some fresh faces making an impact alongside our returning stars. Keep an eye on our social media channels for player spotlights, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and tactical breakdowns as we get closer to kickoff.

We're bringing the action to you, wherever you are! Whether you're able to join us at our home matches across Columbus and Northeast Ohio, or you're following from afar, you won't miss a moment. All of our games will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel, so you can catch every goal, every save, and every heart-stopping play. Don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a match! We'll also be posting highlights, interviews, and exclusive content throughout the season.

The ultimate goal? Dominating NOSL and making a deep run in the end-of-season tournament. We know it won't be easy, but with your unwavering support, we're confident that we can achieve great things. So mark your calendars, grab your DRFC gear, and get ready to make some noise! The season is almost here, and we can't wait to see you cheering us on as we chase our dreams. UP THE RISING!

2025 TRYOUTS

The buzz around Delaware Rising Football Club is real, and it just hit a new high! This year’s tryouts for the 2025 season have been nothing short of thrilling, with an incredible mix of energy, passion, and raw talent. Both the men’s and women’s teams are shaping up to be stronger than ever, thanks to some outstanding performances from both returners and new faces on the field!

On December 14, 2024, we saw a solid mix of aspiring athletes, eager to make their mark, turned out to showcase their skills. The energy was electric, with players pushing themselves to the limit, displaying a level of determination that wowed the coaches.

For the men’s team, the competition was fierce, with several standout performances. Fast footwork, sharp tactics, and incredible team chemistry were on full display. The players fought for every inch of the field, leaving no doubt that Delaware Rising FC is on the hunt for top-tier talent. Whether it was precision passing or impressive goalkeeping, every corner of the field had its moment of brilliance.

On the women’s side, the tryouts were equally exciting, with powerful and skillful play stealing the show. From dynamic forwards to solid defenders, the women’s team showcased the kind of teamwork and tenacity that Delaware Rising FC is known for.

This year’s tryouts proved that Delaware Rising FC isn’t just a team—but a family built on team pride. The 2025 season is shaping up to be unforgettable, and with the level of talent uncovered at these tryouts, fans can expect to see some explosive performances.

We can't wait to see how these new faces will gel with the returning players! Stay tuned as Delaware Rising Football Club continues to rise to new heights—this season is going to be epic! #DelawareRising #RisingTogether #UpTheRising