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!
