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
