DRFC had a match against top of the league City of Ohio SC this past weekend and were looking to get another win this week. It was the third game in 7 days, and the guys had yet to lose. They came out looking decent in warm-ups while City of Ohio's players slowly trickled in. The game started once they had 11 guys on the field, and we were underway. An explosive start, say DRFC created a couple of chances, but they were unlucky, and the score remained at 0's. It didn't take too long for the game's first goal to go in. City of Ohio attacker shot it, and it took a weird deflection off a Rising Defender before going in. Everyone was shocked and confused about how it went in, but the score was 1-0 in favor of the league leaders. Half time came around, and the guys knew they were still in it. They just needed to finish chances. The guys began to find more footing and gain possession, but it wasn't enough to score. Then City of Ohio hit on a counter-attack, and with a cross into the middle, they had an easy tap-in to go up 2-0. Making the mountain to climb just a bit bigger. The game began to wind down, and City of Ohio had scored another to go up 3-0, which ended up being the final score. The guys fall this time but go again next week in a crucial match against Ambassadors.
Week 5: Delaware Rising vs. Stark County United
This weekend the guys traveled up to North Canton to play against the bottom of the league Stark County United. It was a long drive, but the guys arrived and waited for the field to be opened. Warmups started once they were in, and before you know it, the game was underway. In the first half, DRFC dominated possession and rarely lost the ball. Stark County could barely get it out of their end, and when they did, it went right back at them. Colin McComb made a darting run and got the ball, chipping the keeper for the match's first goal, but was then called offsides. Keeping the game level. The guys had a couple more chances but kept putting them wide or over the fence into the woods. It wasn't long before Jeramy Hermiller slotted in Cody Lumby, who tapped the game's first goal past the keeper—giving DRFC a 1-0 lead over Stark. Then right after that, Ryan Miller played Jeramy Hermiller a ball in, and he shot it outside the 18. It hit off the right post and trickled on in, giving the guys a 2-0 lead going into halftime. The guys have been here before and needed to keep the energy up and bury this game away. But things didn't go to plan. Coming out in the second half, Stark was constantly on the attack, and DRFC couldn't handle it. They eventually broke the seal and scored a goal making it 2-1. After that, DRFC found some footing, but it wasn't enough as Stark knocked on the door again. A ball was crossed in by stark and went to the back post, where Tanner Masters followed. It was headed to the other corner out of reach, and the game was all square at two a piece. The second half went back and forth with chances on both ends now. Late in the game, a ball was crossed into Rising winger Mason Morris who couldn't redirect it on frame. Then in the dying seconds of the match, Stark took the ball down to our end, and in the attack, two DRFC defenders got hurt. But play went on, and Stark got a cross in and scored the winning goal with almost no time left to play. Leaving DRFC with a 3-2 loss from Canton. The guys hung their heads but not for long as they prepared to play Team Vulpine!
Week 4: Delaware Rising vs. Greater Columbus FC
This week Delaware Rising FC took on the league leaders Greater Columbus FC. It was an away game at Grandview High School and was supposed to kick off at 11 am. But a miscommunication with the officials led to extended warm-ups, and the game started closer to noon. The sun was blazing down on the field as it had done every game, so the players tried to stay cool during the delay. As the referees got ready, some last-minute stretching was done, and the starting eleven for both teams took the field. DRFC kicked the ball off, and the game was underway. Both teams came out to attack from the beginning, but that wasn't the most significant part of this game. The defense was outstanding for both teams. Rising defender Nathan Chwalik was lights out when defending. Chasing down Columbus's attacks and not giving them any room to create chances. Chwalik did this all game and was outstanding. Not to mention Ryan Miller, who usually plays in the midfield, stepping up when needed and keeping the defense organized. The attacks came from both ways, and DRFC was doing well at absorbing the pressure and retaining possession in the back. Decision-making was crucial, and the defenders were able to pick out the right passes and start attack after attack. Most of the first half was back and forth with Greater Columbus on the attack and the DRFC winning the ball and launching a counter, yet nothing had come out of these chances. Later on, in the half, DRFC midfielder Nate White had the ball and was blatantly pushed from behind, yet no foul was given, causing Coach Tyler Treadway to talk with the ref, ultimately leading to a yellow card. Not too long after, another miscall was made, and Treadway and the ref went back and forth again, leading to a second yellow, and he was sent off, but then Rising defender, Jon Dembski talked to the ref and was shown a straight red. The game was tied at zeros, but the Rising were down in personnel. After the madness died down, the game was back underway. It stayed even with both teams fighting to break the deadlock when DRFC won a free kick outside the 18. Rising captain Evan Wherley stood overtop it and whipped a cross in that the keeper claimed, but then he fell over his own defender and dropped the ball, leading to a tap in goal. The ref blew his whistle after the goal was in and waived it off, stating the defender was pushed into his goalie, causing the collision. That wasn't the right call, and after complaints, the center ref stuck to his decision and kept the game at 0-0. The goalie got up and took his free kick, and the game continued. The end of the first half got scrappy but concluded with a tie; both teams went into their talks knowing a win was within reach.
The second half began, and the Rising kicked the ball off to start. It was much like the first half, the guys absorbing pressure and then springing an attack. Yet this half was much scrappier. DRFC defender Seth Barrett was on top of his game and won every ball in the air. He wasn't letting the other team push him around and played his best! And Rising midfielder Colin McComb took control of the game at the center of the field. He acted as the connection between the defense and attack, creating some real chances for the guys. These players and many others stepped up this half and led to an outstanding performance. The game stayed rough, and numerous fouls were called or not, and time was almost out. It was now stoppage time, and three extra minutes were added. McComb is taken out on his own 20-yard line, and Sexton now takes the free kick. He blasts it up the field, and a Columbus defender muffs the clearance and gives it right to Wherley, who crosses it in. Cody Lumby then flicks it on to McComb, who was waiting near the six-yard box. He then wraps his foot around it and slots it home, giving the Rising a 1-0 lead over the league leaders with little time left! The Rising fend off any last-second attacks and get the three points, with the final score being DRFC 1-0 GCFC! What a game! At the end of the day, when things weren't going their way, DRFC was able to secure the win and gain momentum for the rest of the season!
Week 2: Delaware Rising vs. Amish Country United
This weekend, the guys had their first away game, where they squared off against Amish Country United. About a 2-hour drive from the home field, they arrived at Hiland High School looking to bounce back from last week's loss. It was another scorching hot day at the pitch and didn't look to get any cooler. The guys did their routine and then suited up for kick-off. Amish Country United kicked it off first, and we were underway. The guys put them under pressure right from the start, with winger Evan Scott winning the ball after the first kick and creating a chance that went right past Ryland Owens's foot. It was a promising start, and the guys once again had attack after attack just waiting to get their first goal. After a while, some subs were made, including #47 Mason Morris making his debut. Right off the bat, he was dominant, and after midfielder Landon Kuhn slotted him in, he finished the shot and put the Rising up 1-0. Those two didn't stop there and switched roles. This time Mason played a ball over the top to Landon, who then brought it down and tucked it away to put the guys up 2-0 at the half. As the heat continued to beat down, the guys were drinking as much water as possible to combat it during the break. Half time ended, and the second half began with DRFC up 2-0. The half went on, and the play got a little slower as they were fatigued, and Amish Country United took advantage by scoring one off of an error and cutting the lead in half. Play went on, and both sides had numerous chances, but Amish Country had a good attack and was fouled, leading to a free kick on the side of the box. It was swung in, and their center-back got up above everyone and headed it into the bottom corner to tie the game. DRFC had attacked as well, with crosses getting swung in and balls being played down the line, but none of them were finding the back of the net, leaving the door open for Amish Country to grab a winner. Which eventually happened from another freekick. It was swung out and cleared, but then it got put back, and the whole line didn't step up as one leaving, and Amish Country United player onside where he tapped the ball in and went up 3-2. The game went on for a bit longer, but the guys couldn't tie the game back up, and it finished with a 3-2 loss. Many lessons were learned, and the team found some spots they need to work on to succeed in the league. So while the result didn't go our way, it will be used as a learning lesson to help us succeed in our future matches! #UpTheRising
Week 1: Delaware Rising vs. Team Vulpine
It was a hot summer morning to start Delaware Risings 2022 season. The guys arrived at their new home field located at Buckeye Valley High School with one goal in mind, to get a win under their belt. The pre-game festivities had started as fans arrived, including a tailgate with cornhole and food, a merchandise shop, and more! The guys warmed up, and the starting 11 was announced over the intercom. After a quick team photo, it was officially the beginning of the 2022 NOSL season. The new light blue kits were out and underway as the game had begun. You could tell this would be a physical battle from the start as the referee was making numerous calls on both teams. DRFC was controlling possession almost the whole game, yet every time they took it down into Vulpine territory, it was either cleared out, or a foul was committed. And this was the story of the whole game. It was in a stalemate until halfway through the first half; Vulpine intercepted a pass in the back and went one on one with Connor Sexton, slotting it past him to go up 1-0. The guys now needed to amp up their attacking efforts, which they did. Crosses flew in left and right, with many of them connecting yet struggling to find the back of the net. The guys were on the attack almost all half yet were down one to end it. As they gathered up and tried to find a sense of shade, coach Tyler Tredway gave his halftime speech and allowed the captains to interject.
As that concluded, it was time for the second half, with Vulpine getting us started. They kicked the ball off, and it was a repeat of the first half all over again. Chance after chance for the guys, yet none were getting passed the line. Captain and center midfielder Evan Wherley was whipping in crosses all over the field, including corners. He had an outstanding performance in connecting the attack with the defense, along with his midfield partner Max Deckop. The clock began to wind down, yet the chances still came in, including one late in the game where JP Seliskar connected with a cross with a bicycle kick. Seliskar made a great connection, yet it went wide by the smallest of margins. At the end of the game, Vulpine had taken the 1-0 win over DRFC. It was a heartbreaker as the guys gave it their all for the badge. But they move and now turn their attention to their next game against Amish Country United this weekend. #Uptherising
