ASHLAND, Ohio — Delaware Rising’s quest for a second Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) championship came to an end Saturday, falling 1-0 to Susserfuss-Ballverein in the league title match.

Susserfuss broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after being awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. The Harlequins’ attempt forced Rising goalkeeper Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) to her left. She managed to get a hand on the shot, but the ball slipped through her fingertips and found the back of the net.

Delaware responded with an improved second-half performance, gradually building momentum and putting sustained pressure on the Susserfuss back line. Defender Kendra Kovacs (Capital) pushed forward to join the attack as Rising continued to probe around the penalty area in search of an equalizer.

Despite controlling long stretches of the second half and creating dangerous opportunities, the top-seeded Rising were unable to find the breakthrough before the final whistle, as Susserfuss-Ballverein claimed the NOSL championship with a 1-0 victory.

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It all comes down to this.

Delaware Rising and Susserfuss-Ballverin meet in Ashland, Ohio, on Saturday evening to battle for the 2026 Northern Ohio Soccer League Women’s Championship. From the opening weeks of the season, it felt like these two clubs were on a collision course, with both emerging as the league’s top contenders.

Susserfuss enters the match as the two-time defending NOSL champions after capturing league titles in 2024 and 2025. The Harlequins will be looking to secure an unprecedented third consecutive championship while avenging a 3-1 defeat to Delaware earlier this season.

It’s been an incredible run for Delaware Rising, which enters the championship riding an eight-match winning streak. Rising is seeking its second NOSL title in just its second championship appearance. The club won the inaugural NOSL Championship in 2023 with a 2-1 victory over Ohio City SC. Three members of that championship squad remain on the roster and could feature again on Saturday: 2023 NOSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Austin, Kindall Duke, and Lindsey Whitmore.

Delaware punched its ticket to the final with an impressive 5-1 semifinal victory over Ohio City SC despite having just two players available on the bench. Head coach Landon Kuhn expertly managed his squad’s minutes and crafted a game plan that his players executed to near perfection.

Rileigh Glassburn led the attack with two goals, while Kindall Duke, Lindsey Whitmore, and Jada Leyland also found the back of the net. Rising will be hoping for a similar attacking performance as it chases another championship trophy.

Kickoff from Ashland is set for 4:30 p.m., and we’ll have full coverage from the NOSL Women’s Championship.

• What’s been going on with me?

• A new hobby has turned into a side hustle: buying and selling sports cards on eBay.

• Excited to announce that I’ve joined CBus Sports as a contributor, expanding my local sports coverage.

• I’m officially back with Pickerington North Girls Soccer for another season and looking forward to being back on the sidelines.

Columbus Crew

• Eric Bailly is officially a member of the Columbus Crew.

• Recapping the Crew’s recent transfer activity and how the roster is shaping up heading into the stretch run.

Ohio Dominican University

• Discussing the recently filed Title IX lawsuit involving Ohio Dominican University.

• What has been alleged?

• What we know so far.

• My experience as a GA at ODU

• Might it be time for a change of leadership?

Closing

• What’s coming up next.

• Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Ohio Dominican University is once again facing controversy stemming from allegations involving a member of its athletic department.

Madison Lindamood, a graduate assistant with Ohio Dominican’s football team during the 2025-26 season, has filed a Title IX sex-discrimination lawsuit against the university in federal court.

Lindamood alleges she was assaulted by a football player during a university-sponsored fundraising event on March 6. The lawsuit, filed July 10, states that the player “approached her aggressively, made physical contact with her body, and forcibly ripped her bag from her person, physically pulling her, and searched her belongings without her consent.”

According to the complaint, Lindamood documented bruising on the back of her neck with photographs. The filing also states the alleged assault was witnessed by another graduate assistant.

A spokesperson for Ohio Dominican told NBC4, “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on pending litigation.”

“It’s gotten ugly really quick,” a source told Arch City Athletics as the ODU Athletic Department navigates this ongoing legal matter.

“I wanted that job,” Lindamood said in a statement to USA Today. “What I did not expect was to be told that what happened to me did not count unless it drew blood. No woman should have to choose between staying silent and losing the career she’s worked so hard to build.”

The complaint also states that Lindamood reported the alleged assault to head football coach Kelly Cummings the same day, but alleges he provided “no meaningful follow-up.”

Three days later, on March 9, Lindamood reported the alleged assault to Title IX coordinator and Dean of Students Amy Thomas. According to the complaint, Thomas directed Cummings to investigate the matter rather than assigning a neutral investigator. The filing alleges Cummings told Lindamood his “personal definition of assault required blood or severe bruising.”

The complaint further alleges that Cummings asked Lindamood what she “could have done differently.”

This isn’t the first time that Ohio Dominican has had issues with a head coach’s alledged conduct. Back in 2018, then-ODU volleyball coach Jenn Fekpe was accused of abuse by members of the volleyball program.

On April 13, Thomas issued a one-paragraph determination stating that the complaint did not meet the standard for Title IX sexual harassment and would instead be referred to the university’s Student Code of Conduct process, according to the filing.

According to the complaint, the player was “purportedly” suspended but continued to attend team practices and other team activities, repeatedly placing Lindamood in contact with her alleged assailant.

The complaint alleges Lindamood later faced retaliation from the university, including being removed from team communications, publicly berated by other members of the coaching staff, excluded from coaches’ meetings and repeatedly forced into close proximity with her alleged assailant.

According to the complaint, after Lindamood’s mother filed a retaliation complaint in April, Cummings left her a voicemail instructing her not to return to work. The filing states she has not been permitted to return since.

Lindamood also alleges coaches and players followed her, photographed her and recorded her around campus, prompting university public safety officers to escort her across campus on multiple occasions.

Lastly, Lindamood alleges she worked significant unpaid overtime. According to the complaint, she received a $5,000 stipend to work 20 hours per week from August 2025 through May 2026. The filing contends Ohio Dominican assigned her responsibilities equivalent to those of a full-time coaching staff member and required her to perform those duties despite her graduate assistant appointment.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as compensation for unpaid overtime and unpaid minimum wages.

Below is a sample of a job posting for a graduate assistant position at Ohio Dominican.

Author’s note: I am a graduate of Ohio Dominican University (2022), served time as a member of the women’s soccer coaching staff (2018-2021) and was a graduate assistant (2020-2022) in the athletic department.

Delaware Rising will play for its second Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) Championship on Saturday evening, traveling to Ashland, Ohio to take on Susserfuss-Ballverein after punching its ticket to the title match with a commanding 5-1 semifinal victory over Ohio City SC.

The win marked Rising’s eighth victory of the season and sets up a rematch with a Susserfuss side eager for revenge after Delaware claimed a 3-1 victory in the clubs’ regular-season meeting on May 24.

Before flipping the page to Saturday’s match, take a look back at the contest with a photo gallery. Click the button below to see more!

Rising vs. Ohio City (Photos)

If there was ever a time for Delaware Rising to show just how good it is this season, Sunday morning provided the perfect stage. There is always a different feeling in the air when you step onto the pitch in a “win or go home” match, but Rising never looked rattled, cruising to a 5-1 victory over Ohio City Soccer Club in the Northern Ohio Soccer League Semifinal.

The visitors opened the match with sustained pressure in the attacking third, but once again the Rising backline of Jada Leyland (Otterbein), Myah Byers (Marietta), Kendra Kovacs (Capital), and Emma Barnhart (Wittenberg) proved equal to the task, limiting Ohio City to opportunities from wide areas and keeping dangerous chances to a minimum.

Delaware broke through in the 13th minute when forward Rileigh Glassburn (Ohio Northern) finished off a quick counterattack against the run of play, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Rising doubled its advantage in spectacular fashion just minutes later.

Kindall Duke (Western Michigan) curled a corner kick directly into the net for an olympico, sending her sprinting to celebrate with teammates after one of the most memorable goals of the season.

Ohio City answered just four minutes later, pulling a goal back to trim Delaware’s lead to 2-1.

Rising responded before halftime to restore its two-goal cushion. Kindall Duke (Western Michigan) threaded a brilliant through ball to Lindsey Whitmore (Otterbein), who used her pace to beat the defender before calmly finishing to send Delaware into the break with a 3-1 advantage.

Delaware wasted little time adding to its lead in the second half.

Outside back Jada Leyland (Otterbein) unleashed an ambitious effort from outside the penalty area that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, extending the advantage to 4-1.

Glassburn put the match out of reach in the 67th minute, collecting a pass from Haylee Prime (Missouri S&T) before slotting her finish into the corner to complete the 5-1 victory and send Rising into the Northern Ohio Soccer League Championship.

Up next

Delaware Rising travels to Ashland for the NOSL Championship game against Susserfuss. Kickoff from Ashland High School is scheduled for 4 PM.

It’s been a memorable 2026 campaign for the women of Delaware Rising, as the club completed a historic undefeated regular season, finishing 7-0-0 and securing the No. 1 seed in the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) Women’s Division.

Now, Rising looks to continue its remarkable run against a familiar foe in Ohio City SC.

The rivalry dates back to the inaugural NOSL Women’s Division championship match in 2023, when the two clubs squared off on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Delaware Rising claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to penalty kick goals from Kindall Duke and Sara Gundler, capturing the league’s first-ever women’s title.

The rivalry has only intensified since.

Ohio City SC earned its revenge in last year’s semifinal, defeating Rising 5-1 in Cleveland to end Delaware’s postseason run. Now, the two sides meet once again in a winner-take-all showdown, with Delaware perhaps carrying a slight psychological edge after defeating Ohio City 2-0 earlier this season.

Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy) and Avery Miller (Queens) found the back of the net in that victory, while goalkeeper Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) reminded everyone why she’s among the league’s top keepers, producing a spectacular double save to preserve the clean sheet.

More history will be written in this rivalry on Sunday morning, with kickoff scheduled for 11 AM.

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Earlier this year, I found myself sitting next to CBUSSports owner Kevin Rousch before a Columbus Fury match. We always seem to have good conversations, and at one point I told him I’d love to work with him someday. With his trademark cheeky smile, he replied, “I can’t afford you.”

Five months later, I’m excited to announce that I’ve officially joined the CBUSSports family.

Kevin shared his vision of telling the stories that live within communities across Central Ohio, and it immediately resonated with me. We share the same belief about the future of sports media. It’s no secret that traditional media outlets no longer have the time or resources to cover every incredible athlete, team, and community story. That’s where we hope to make a difference.

At CBUSSports, I’ll primarily be contributing on the photography side, working alongside an incredibly talented team to document the moments that define our communities—not just on Friday nights, but throughout the entire week. I’ll also be helping showcase the outstanding work of our writers and creative team as we continue telling these stories without putting them behind a paywall.

How can you support us?

We’ll be partnering with school districts across Central Ohio and offering photos from the events we cover. Every image purchased helps fund our mission, allowing us to continue investing in talented photographers, writers, and storytellers who are passionate about covering local sports.

If you’d like to support what we’re building, please bookmark our photo gallery and check back often as new galleries are added throughout the season.

I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share the unforgettable moments, athletes, and stories that make Central Ohio such a special place to call home. Here’s to the next chapter!

CBUSSports Photo Gallery

Delaware Rising made its long-awaited return to the pitch Sunday afternoon, welcoming North FC for the conclusion of the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) regular season.

The contest marked Rising’s first competitive match in 21 days and its first inside the City of Delaware since a 9-0 victory over Firelands United on May 31.

Both teams prepared for battle under the harsh July sun, with the air temperature approaching 87 degrees at kickoff. The artificial turf pushed the surface temperature another 10 to 15 degrees higher, creating challenging conditions throughout the afternoon.

Before kickoff, both teams observed a moment of silence in honor of Toby Forsythe, a Gahanna native and goalkeeper who was killed in a traffic accident during the early morning hours of July 5.

While the soccer community is vast, it remains a close-knit one. The loss resonated throughout the local game, as many players either knew Toby personally or were connected to someone affected by his passing.

North FC controlled possession early, looking to establish an advantage. Delaware quickly settled into the match, however, and began dictating the tempo. Rising enjoyed much of the possession throughout the opening half while limiting the visitors to sporadic counterattacks. The defensive pairing of Myah Byers (Marietta) and Kendra Kovacs (Capital) repeatedly snuffed out North FC’s attacking opportunities before immediately helping launch Delaware’s attack.

The breakthrough came just after the 20-minute mark. Midfielder Ashley Green (Wittenberg) threaded a perfectly weighted through ball from the near side to Lindsay Castillo (IU Indy), who calmly finished for the match’s opening goal.

Following a much-needed hydration break, Delaware continued to press for a second score.

That insurance goal arrived in the 41st minute from a set piece.

Kindall Duke (Western Michigan) delivered a corner kick into the box, where her sister, Kasey Duke (Capital), powered a finish into the back of the net to double Rising’s advantage.

After halftime, Delaware continued searching for a third goal. Rachel Austin (Capital) tested the North FC goalkeeper multiple times, but the visiting keeper stood firm to keep the deficit at two.

Drama unfolded in the closing moments.

With seconds remaining, North FC broke into the attacking third, prompting goalkeeper Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) to charge off her line. Schwertfager reached the ball first and collided with the attacker in what appeared to be a clean but physical challenge. The center official disagreed, pointing to the penalty spot.

North FC converted the penalty, sending the ball to Schwertfager’s left to cut the deficit to 2-1 just before the final whistle.

While the late penalty was controversial, it did not change the result. Delaware Rising secured its seventh consecutive victory, completing an undefeated regular season, and earning the No. 1 seed heading into next week’s NOSL playoffs, where it will face Ohio City.

DRFC by the Numbers

Delaware enjoyed a varied offensive attack as five players score two goals or more to give the club 27 goals on the season. The aforementioned Castillo finishes with four goals on the campaign, she’s followed by Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy), Kasey Duke (Capital), and Lindsey Whitmore (Otterbein) with three tallies. Avery Miller (Queens) had two goals this summer.

Ella Fuller (Eastern Michigan) paced the club in assists with three. While Dye, Ally Curtin (Otterbein), Haylee Prime (Missouri S&T), and Kasey Duke (Capital) had two each.

Goalkeeper Sally Patton (Loyola-Chicago) had 10 saves, while Schwertfager had nine.

DRFC Photo Gallery

Gahanna Lincoln High School traveled down to Fairfield County to begin its preparations for the 2026 campaign. We were on hand to capture the Lions as they battled the Canal Winchester Indians during the second game of the Saturday session at the 2026 Pickerington North Preseason Invitational.

Photos are available for purchase here.

The Pickerington North Girls Soccer team began its preparations for the 2026 season facing off against some of the best teams from around Central Ohio this weekend in the Preseason Invitational.

We were on hand to capture the morning session and have photos available for free to download below.

While you’re at it, a reminder that we are running a 50% off sale of everything in our digital storefront thru July 31st as we prepare to make way for new inventory for the start of a new season.

We will also be covering the Panthers season every step of the way in 2026, with unprecedented coverage not seen anywhere in Central Ohio. Make sure to sign up for free and don’t miss an update!

Free Pickerington North Photos

It appears that Racing Louisville forward Emma Sears could potentially be on the move as she has reportedly requested a transfer according to ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf.

Several National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs have expressed interest in the former Buckeye, but sources told Kassouf that Racing aren’t entertaining a midseason move for Sears. However, they could be open to an offseason move for the upstart national team forward.

A team spokesperson told Louisville’s WHAS11 they "don't have anything to add" to the report at this time.

Sears, 25, has scored two goals this season and added three assists in 10 appearances this season. She is Louisville’s only player who recieves regular national team call-ups. Sears signed a new contract with the team this past October with an expiration set for 2028.

Should she be transferred its expected that the transfer could net $1 million-plus. Sears has scored six goals in 21 appearances with the USWNT and is one of several players fighting to be on head coach Emma Hayes’ roster for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer.

Racing currently sits in last place of the NWSL with two victories and just seven points through 11 matches this season. They resume play Sunday on the road, battling the Portland Thorns.

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What’s more American than baseball and the Fourth of July? On Thursday evening the Columbus Clippers welcomed the Louisville Bats to Huntington Field as both clubs battled each other and the extreme heat.

After falling behind 5-0, the Clippers attempted to orchestrate a comeback. You can read more about the game in the team’s official recap here.

View some of my favorite images from the contest below.

My thanks to the Clippers for the opportunity and I look forward to assisting them more in the future.

Clippers Gallery

The older I get, the more I find myself quoting Andy Bernard from The Office when he famously said, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”

That’s how I feel about my time with Pickerington North Athletics.

When Athletic Director Colin Beemiller and Assistant Athletic Director Kelly Winter invited me to join their team following my coverage of the girls soccer team’s run to the state semifinal, I was elated to return to high school athletics. It was a full-circle moment, an opportunity to get back to something I truly loved after a messy departure from my previous employer, Columbus Academy.

Graduating from Ohio Dominican University with a degree in Sport Management and eventually finding myself telling the stories of the Pickerington North Panthers felt a little like destiny.

Maybe that’s cheesy, but it’s true.

Unfortunately, the Pickerington Local School District is facing financial challenges. With discretionary spending halted, difficult decisions have had to be made. As I shared in my letter to the athletic department, “I don’t want to be an unnecessary expense or distraction as you continue working to provide the best possible experience for your student-athletes.”

So, I’m stepping away from my role as the athletics photographer and social media manager.

But I’m not disappearing entirely.

Thanks to an agreement with the girls soccer program and its boosters, I’ll continue serving as part of the Panthers family by helping tell the story of a championship-caliber program that deserved far more attention from the local media than it received this past season.

To the girls basketball and softball programs, thank you for the kindness and hospitality you showed me this year. It was a privilege to document your seasons and watch both teams grow, compete, and push themselves to new heights.

I also want to thank every coach, athlete, parent, and supporter who welcomed me into the Pickerington North community. You made this year special.

I hope we get to collaborate again. Please comment below or email me; let’s work together!

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While this chapter is coming to an end, I hope it’s not the last time I get to tell the stories of Panther student-athletes. Pickerington has some incredible young people doing incredible things, and I’ve always believed they deserve more recognition than they receive.

So this isn’t goodbye.

It’s just... see you at the soccer field.

As for what else is to come, stay tuned.

What’s been going on with me?

A lot of changes over the past week.

Looking ahead to what’s next.

Leaving Pickerington North Athletics

It was an amicable decision from both sides.

With the failed levies, the district had to make some difficult financial decisions.

I’ll still be working with the girls soccer program.

Depending on agreements with the boosters, I’ll also be available to cover other Panther sports.

Thank everyone at Pickerington North for the opportunity to tell the stories of the student-athletes this past year.

Olentangy Transfer Saga

Discuss the recent OHSAA sanctions handed down to Olentangy Orange.

Share my perspective on transfers from my time working in both high school and college athletics.

Have transfers become too common?

Where is the balance between athlete freedom and competitive integrity?

Gotham FC Wins the NWSL Challenge Cup

First NWSL match ever played in Columbus.

Gotham FC defeated Kansas City Current 2-0.

Esther González opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Rookie Jordynn Dudley added the insurance goal.

Great atmosphere at in Columbus and another glimpse of what Columbus can expect when the NWSL expansion club arrives.

Delaware Rising

Recap the men’s result.

What’s next for the club?

Continue following both the men’s and women’s sides as the NOSL season continues.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski

Discuss the latest trade rumors.

Are they legitimate concerns or offseason speculation?

Which teams make the most sense if Columbus ever entertained moving him?

Why moving your franchise defenseman would be such a difficult decision.

Kirill Marchenko

Growing discussion surrounding his future.

Is there more going on behind the scenes?

Why the Blue Jackets need to make keeping their young core together a priority.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has penalized Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center) following an investigation surrounding former varsity athlete and senior Marlon Walker II. The investigation was originally reported in The Columbus Dispatch.

The Dispatch’s reporting states that the investigation involved Walker’s transfer from Westerville North to Olentangy Orange before the start of the season.

Below is a statement from the OHSAA.

“The Ohio High School Athletic Association has levied a $10,000 fine against Olentangy Local Schools following an investigation into Olentangy Orange. OHSAA and Olentangy Local Schools released a joint statement confirming the investigation was into “a potential violation of OHSAA Bylaw 3-1, Administrative Responsibility and Institutional Control.”

Under current OHSAA guidelines specified in Bylaw 3, “Principals hold primary responsibility for institutional control and student eligibility.”

Orange will not be stripped of its state title, not face a postseason ban, and is poised to defend its state championship this upcoming season.

Read more about Bylaw 3

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The first National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match in Columbus isn’t scheduled to kick off until 2028, but on Friday evening, Central Ohio gets a preview of what’s to come as two of the league’s premier clubs battle inside ScottsMiracle-GRO Field.

Kansas City Current and Gotham FC will square off in the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, bringing one of the league’s marquee events to Columbus ahead of the city’s own expansion franchise debut.

The Challenge Cup traces its roots back to 2020, when it was created as a way for the league to safely return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic. Held in a “bubble” environment with extensive testing and health protocols, the tournament marked the return of the first professional team sport in the United States following the shutdown.

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Since then, the competition has evolved into the NWSL’s version of a Super Cup, featuring the reigning league champion against the previous season’s NWSL Shield winner. This year’s matchup pits defending champion Gotham FC against Shield winner Kansas City Current, with the first trophy of the 2026 season on the line.

How to watch

Game: Kansas City Current vs. Gotham FC
Kickoff: 8 PM EST
TV: Prime Video

The 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup will be available to stream on Prime Video. Access to the match requires an Amazon Prime subscription, which currently costs $14.99 per month. New subscribers are eligible for a 30-day free trial, providing an opportunity to watch the match at no additional cost.

Delaware Rising continued its winning ways on Sunday, downing Valentis Athletica 4-0. Read the full recap here.

Check out the photo gallery by clicking the button below.

Delaware Rising Gallery

The Columbus Clippers invited us out to help cover their doubleheader against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on June 19th. Read the full recap here.

Check out a sampling of the images captured during the double header by clicking here or the button below.

Clippers Gallery

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