Week 11 Recap: Final Fights, Final Whistles & Fan Voting
We're officially in the thick of the postseason with trophies in sight and chapters closing. This week brought a bittersweet blend of triumph and farewell for Delaware Rising, as one team punches their ticket to a championship final, and the other wraps up an inspiring year filled with growth, grit, and heart.
But before we get into it, it’s time to make your voice heard off the field.
Season Awards voting is now LIVE!
From Player of the Year to Goal of the Season, help us celebrate the moments and players that made this inaugural campaign unforgettable.
Now, let’s get into the action:
Women’s Team: Season Ends in Semi-Final Heartbreak
July 20 @ Ohio City SC – 5-1 Loss (NOSL Semi-Final)
The playoff push came to an end in Cleveland as the DRFC Women fell to a sharp Ohio City squad in the league semi-final. It wasn’t the outcome they fought for, but there’s no questioning the effort from start to finish.
Goal:
Lindsey Whitmore scored the lone goal for Delaware, finding the net off a smart pass from Megan Michels… A composed finish in the second half to keep Rising fighting.
Player of the Match: Lindsey Whitmore, the captain, put everything into this match, leading by example and giving the squad a spark when they needed it most.
Though the season ends here, the journey doesn’t. This was a year of firsts… Building, believing, and breaking through. This group set the tone for what Delaware Rising Women’s soccer can and will be.
Next Up: Women’s Open Tryouts – December 2025
Keep an eye out. Next season starts now.
Men’s Team: One Step from Glory
July 19 vs Ashland United – 4-1 Win (NOSL Semi-Final)
The DRFC Men took the field in front of a packed house at Buckeye Valley, and they didn’t disappoint. With a ticket to the final on the line, the squad delivered a clinical performance, putting away Ashland United with composure, flair, and that signature Rising intensity.
Goals:
Ryan Miller opened the scoring with a thunderous header off a corner from Captain Landon Kuhn.
Lincoln Wallace followed it up with a sharp finish from inside the box, cleanly slotted home after a ball from Nino Stassi.
Mubelele Mhango made it three, charging down the keeper, forcing an error, and tapping in a solo effort that flipped the crowd upside down.
Aidan Shepardson iced it with a crashing finish at the back post, on the end of a driven cross from Mhango.
Man of the Match: Mubelele Mhango, who was electric off the bench, with a goal, an assist, and that relentless hustle that’s become his trademark.
This win means one thing:
We're headed to the NOSL Final.
Looking Ahead: The Final Chapter
Men’s NOSL Championship Final:
📅 Saturday, July 26
🆚 Mansfield Liederkranz
🕢 7:30 PM
🏟️ Copley High School
It all comes down to this. One more match. One more chance to make history. We’ve already lifted the League Cup. Now, it’s time to bring home the league title.
Season’s almost over, but the legacy is just beginning.
Vote. Show up. Be loud.
Up The Rising.
