The Delaware Rising women’s soccer team returns to action Sunday afternoon, traveling to Mansfield, Ohio, for a matchup against Mansfield Liederkranz.

Rising looks to continue its strong run of form as it sits tied atop the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) standings with a perfect 4-0-0 record. Delaware is tied with Susserfuss Ballverin and North FC for pole position at the top of the table and has a game in hand on both clubs.

Scoring has been evenly spread throughout the Rising squad, with five players registering two goals apiece to share the team lead.

Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy), Avery Miller (Queens), Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy), Kasey Duke (Capital), and Lindsey Whitmore (Otterbein) pace Delaware in scoring.

Ella Fuller (Eastern Michigan) leads the team with three assists, while Dye, Ally Curtin (Otterbein), Haylee Prime (Missouri S&T), and Castillo have chipped in two each.

It has also been a strong season between the sticks for Delaware. The goalkeeping tandem of Sally Patton (Loyola Chicago) and Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) has allowed just one goal through four games. Patton paces the Rising backstops with eight saves, while “Schwerty” has recorded five stops on the season.

Game Notes

The match kicks off Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. from the beautiful Mansfield Liederkranz Soccer Complex. The weather forecast is less than ideal, with a 100 percent chance of thunderstorms in the area that could lead to significant delays.

We will be on hand for coverage from Mansfield as Rising looks to start the second half of its season on a strong note.

50% off your favorite moments!

Two weeks ago this crazy little project known as Arch City Athletics turned one year old. It’s been a fun ride as we’ve been on hand for memorable moments like the Pickerington North Girls Soccer Regional Championship victory, Ohio Dominican Volleyball’s Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship run, Delaware Rising’s perfect start to the NOSL season, and many more events around Central Ohio.

We’ve captured ALOT of photos from our travels and the fact of the matter is we are running out of room on our digital store. Believe it or not, that does happen!

So to celebrate, we are offering 50% off EVERYTHING in our digital store.

Anything that is for sale is on sale, but hurry this will last through the end of the month.

No need to type in a code, it will be deducted right at checkout for you.

Thanks for your support this year and looking forward to an even more thrilling second year of Arch City Athletics.

Ohio State Football Television Schedule

• Ohio State’s television schedule is continuing to take shape.

• Discuss the latest kickoff times and television assignments that have been announced.

• Early thoughts on the Buckeyes’ slate and which games stand out.

Columbus Crew

• Major changes on the sideline.

• Henrik Rydström is out, and Laurent Courtois is in.

• Initial impressions of the move.

• Do things already appear to be moving in a better direction?

• The Crew enters the FIFA World Cup break.

• Max Arfsten is headed to the FIFA World Cup with the United States Men’s National Team.

Columbus Eagles Update

• Latest results and developments from around the club.

• Key performances and players to watch moving forward.

Delaware Rising Update

• The winning continues for Delaware Rising.

• A big victory over Susserfuss keeps the momentum rolling.

• Followed that up with another impressive result against Firelands.

• What has fueled the team’s strong run of form?

• Natalie Dye joins the show for an interview.

• Discuss her season, the team’s success, and what’s ahead.

Closing Thoughts

• Final takeaways from the week.

• Upcoming events and coverage to keep an eye on.

• Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast.

He brought home a gold medal in the Olympics, and now another important accolade for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. The CBJ blueliner was named the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, the club announced Tuesday.

The award is given annually to the NHL’s “top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.” The other finalists for 2025-26 were Colorado’s Cale Makar and Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy was first presented in 1953-54 by the children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings. Nominees are voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

Werenski, who finished second in the voting to Colorado’s Cale Makar last season for the same award, recorded 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points, including 18-41-59 at even strength, with 260 shots on goal and a plus-7 rating while averaging 26:37 of ice time in 75 games in 2025-26.

He finished second in the NHL in average ice time, tied for 14th in even-strength points, and 15th in multi-point efforts (26). Werenski also led league blueliners in multi-point efforts, even-strength goals (tied), and shots on goal. He ranked second in points, points per game (1.08), and even-strength points, tied for third in goals, and fourth in assists.

The 28-year-old blueliner led Columbus in assists, points, points per game, multi-point efforts, and shots on goal and finished third in goals. He set a single-season club record for multi-point outings and tied the franchise mark for assists for the second consecutive season. He also registered the third-highest total for even-strength points and the fourth-most points in a single campaign in franchise history.

The Grosse Pointe, Michigan, native became the fifth U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history to record multiple 80-point campaigns in 2025-26 after notching 23-59-82 in 81 games in 2024-25. He is the third to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons, joining Phil Housley (1991-92 to 1992-93 with Winnipeg) and Brian Leetch (1990-91 to 1991-92 with the New York Rangers). He is also the third American blueliner to notch consecutive 20-goal campaigns, joining Housley (six straight from 1986-92) and Reed Larson (five straight from 1979-84).

Werenski is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and ranks second in points, third in games played, fourth in shots on goal, and fifth in goals with 135-330-465 and 1,846 shots in 642 career games across 10 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets. He leads all NHL defensemen in even-strength goals (104) and ranks third in goals, fourth in shots on goal, and eighth in points since making his NHL debut in 2016-17. He was selected by Columbus in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Delaware Rising collected another victory on Sunday afternoon to improve their record to a perfect 4-0-0 for the month of May.

Check out some images from a memorable win.

Delaware Rising vs. Firelands Photos

Delaware Rising capped off a picture-perfect May with a 9-0 victory over Firelands United on Sunday afternoon. The win gives Rising a 4-0-0 start in Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) play and leaves them firmly atop the table with 12 points.

Delaware began the match searching for a way past Firelands United’s stingy low block, something forward Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy) and her teammates hadn’t encountered yet this season.

“So I think coming in, we kind of had a couple of issues in the beginning,” Dye said.

“We were just forcing balls in and sending crosses without enough people on the end of them. So I think it was a lot of problem-solving. They had us in a low block and we haven’t really played against a team with a low block yet. So I think that’s what we’re working on — moving together as a team, figuring out problems and how to solve them, and being creative.”

Rising indeed got creative as they broke down the Firelands low block when Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy) linked up with Kasey Duke (Capital) on a cross for the game’s first tally. The goal marked Duke’s second in as many weeks and gave her three points in two contests.

Fifteen minutes later, Lindsey Whitmore (Otterbein) battled through several defenders in the penalty area before poking home a corner kick from Ella Fuller (Eastern Michigan) to double the lead to 2-0.

Dye found the scoresheet in the 31st minute to extend the advantage to 3-0, scoring a beautiful goal from outside the penalty area that nestled into the upper-left corner where the side and back netting meet.

Fuller added a goal in the 60th minute off a dead-ball restart from Kindall Duke (Western Michigan). Duke’s free kick bounced out to sister Kasey, who laid it off to Fuller. Fuller then struck it from distance past the goalkeeper to push the lead to 4-0.

A pair of Otterbein Cardinals accounted for the sixth and seventh goals of the contest as Whitmore found the scoresheet for the second time on the day and teammate Jada Leyland added another to swell the lead to 7-0.

Both Averys on the Delaware Rising roster found the scoresheet for goals eight and nine of the afternoon as Avery Curtin (Ohio Wesleyan) and Avery Settles (Otterbein) scored the final tallies to secure the victory.

Delaware finishes May unbeaten and has yet to allow a goal when Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) and Sally Patton (Loyola Chicago) split duties in net. The duo once again shared time in goal on Sunday afternoon and continues to benefit from a thriving offense. Rising has outscored opponents 14-0 when the pair features in goal.

UP NEXT

It’s some time off for Delaware Rising to get healthy and enjoy the summer. The women don’t return to competitive action until June 14 against Mansfield Liederkranz.

The month of May and the start of the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) season have been memorable for the women of Delaware Rising.

Rising currently sits atop the NOSL standings with an unblemished 3-0-0 record and looks to keep the momentum rolling when it welcomes expansion side Firelands United to Buckeye Valley High School this afternoon.

The first two matches of the season saw Rising play more than 180 consecutive minutes of shutout soccer while outscoring its opponents by a 5-0 margin. Defensively, goalkeepers Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) and Sally Patton (Loyola Chicago) have been remarkable between the sticks, combining for a shutout every time they have appeared on the team sheet together.

Despite being a recent college graduate, Schwertfager continues to show why she enjoyed such a successful career with the Otterbein Cardinals. She made a remarkable double save in the season opener against Ohio City and was called into action again against Panthers FC the following week.

Patton has fit in well with this Rising group. She and her defense held the reigning NOSL champions to just one goal in a 3-1 victory over Susserfuss last weekend in less-than-ideal conditions. The Ramblers’ backstop made an incredible goal-line save that energized the defense and helped power Delaware to a victory over the defending champions.

Speaking of the win against Susserfuss, Kasey Duke (Capital) was instrumental, recording a goal and an assist. It’s evident that Duke enjoys sharing the midfield with her older sister, Kindall Duke (Western Michigan), as the two display excellent chemistry and seamlessly connect the defense to the attack.

The Rising attack continues to impress as well. Rileigh Glassburn (Ohio Northern) made her presence felt in her debut last week, finding the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy) continues to pressure opposing defenses, and many within the Rising camp credit her with the play that forced the Susserfuss own goal in the opening minutes of last week’s match.

Avery Miller (Queens) returns to the fold this week, looking to continue her strong run of form after scoring in each of the first two matches of the season. Joining her back on the pitch today will be Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy), who has also troubled NOSL defenses throughout the early part of the campaign.

Kickoff from Buckeye Valley High School is scheduled for 1 p.m., and we will have complete coverage on our Twitter account.

Arch City on Twitter

Photo Gallery

Dublin Jerome Boys Lacrosse downed Olentangy Liberty 12-7 on Friday night in the OHSAA Boys Lacrosse Regional Final.

Check out the photo gallery here.

It’s not a gold medal, but Canada defeated its biggest rival, the United States, with a 4-0 victory in the IIHF World Championship quarterfinals in Switzerland.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves turned aside 34 shots to collect a shutout in the win. His CBJ teammate Mathieu Olivier represented the United States, finishing his tournament run with two goals and three assists in eight games.

Greaves has thrived during his time in Switzerland, posting an impressive .943 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average.

The United States entered the spring tournament as the defending world champions but settled for an eighth-place finish.

Canada will play in the semifinals on Saturday, facing the second-lowest remaining seed as the bracket gets reseeded. The World Championship final will take place on Sunday at 2:20 p.m.

Delaware Rising continued its winning ways, grabbing a 3-1 victory against Susserfuss-Ballverein as the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) season rolls on. The game was played in difficult conditions as both sides dealt with winds, rain, and mud.

The field the game was contested on was a lovely turf surface but rains in and around Central Ohio made the surface outside of the playing area muddy and downright unpleasant for players who had to fetch missed shots or deflected balls.

Thankfully, spectators assisted the players so they didn’t have to clean off dirt and clay from their cleats that would accumulate from the adventure off the playing surface.

Rising found the scoresheet in the opening minute as Susserfuss experienced difficulty with buildup out of the back. A bad pass back to the Harlequins goalkeeper after pressure from Rising forward Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy) somehow found its way into the net for the game’s opening goal just seconds in. The tally was officially recognized as an own goal from the visitors to give Rising a 1-0 lead.

Susserfuss didn’t take kindly to the error and looked to hit back, maintaining pressure with a solid attack that challenged goalkeeper Sally Patton (Loyola-Chicago) and her backline. The Columbus, Ohio native made a number of key saves and turned away several attacks from set piece opportunities. She and her backline remained strong but the visitors would find the back of the net in the 21st minute to level the match at 1-1.

The deadlock didn’t last long as newly returning forward Rileigh Glassburn (Ohio Northern) broke the deadlock as she found a ball off the boot of Kasey Duke (Capital) and put it into the net.

Hear from Glassburn and Patton in a post-game interview below.

Patton influenced the game once more in the second half making an incredible goal-line save to keep her team in front.

Kasey Duke scored the insurance goal deep into the second half to deliver Rising the 3-1 victory and maintaining Delaware’s cushion atop of the NOSL standings.

Up next

Rising returns to action at Buckeye Valley High School on Sunday, May 31st with kickoff scheduled for 1 PM.

The women of Delaware Rising look to make it three wins in a row as they welcome Susserfuss Ballverin to town Sunday afternoon. Rising returns to action on the heels of a 3-0 victory in Ashland last weekend against Panthers FC.

Coming into weekend play, Delaware sits atop of the table with six points and a +5 goal differential, with the Harlequins hot on their heels with three points and a +17 goal different, thanks to a 17-0 victory against expansion side Firelands United.

Last week, Rising got strong contributions from newcomer Haylee Prime (Missouri S&T) who linked up with the returning Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy) for the opening goal of the match. Avery Miller (Queens) added a second for Delaware, before Castillo put an emphatic punctuation mark to proceeding as she scored a bar down goal in the latter moments of the contest to deliver the victory.

Squad rotation

It’s pretty typical in summer soccer leagues for squads to experience rotation as the season progresses. Players are unavailable for selection, some are released from their college programs later than others, or players were waiting on graduating.

Rising welcomes some players in this week as Julia Hahn (Drexel), Julia Flanagan (Ohio Northern), Ashley Green (Wittenberg), and Rileigh Glassburn (Ohio Northern) all return to the ranks.

Delware will be without the services of Ally Curtin (Otterbein), Avery Curtin (Ohio Wesleyan), Emma Barnhart (Wittenberg), Avery Miller (Queens), Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy), or Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) who are unavailable for selection this afternoon.

Coverage

We will have coverage for the contest beginning at 3 PM. If you would like to attend the contest, it’s at a different location today as the game will be contested at the Blast FC Soccer Academy (2243 Piatt Rd, Delaware, OH 43015).

Tickets are $7 for adults, Students and 60+ get in for $5 and those under 13 enjoy the match for free.

You can also watch the match here.

Delaware Rising hit the road for the first time this season in their second contest of the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) season. Rising opened the season on May 9th, getting a 2-0 victory against Ohio City. The win marking their first against City since the first NOSL title contested on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University back in 2022.

Natalie Dye (Detroit Mercy) scored the game’s opening goal and secured an assist helping Avery Miller (Queens) tally an insurance goal to give Delaware an important three points to start the season on the front foot.

Rising hit the road this past Sunday for a date with Panthers FC on the campus of Hillsdale Local Schools in Ashland, Ohio. The visitors began the match searching for their footing with moments of brilliance mixed in between.

Midway through the first half Delaware’s Haylee Prime (Missouri S&T) nearly linked up with Lindsey Castillo (IU Indy) for the game’s first goal but the Rising forward was whistled offside.

Castillo got her breakthrough in the 41st minute as chaos in the top of the penalty area saw the ball fall to her feet, the Pataskala native calmly placed her shot into the net for the game’s opening marker.

Avery Miller found the score sheet once more as the Queens product slotted home a cross from Prime to extend the lead to 2-0.

Castillo influenced the game once more with a shot from distance that hit the crossbar and down into the goal to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

The goalkeeping tandem of Sally Patton (Loyola Chicago) and Ella Schwertfager (Otterbein) maintained a combined clean sheet in the victory, although both faced challenges throughout the match but stood tall to deliver the three points and the victory as the team returned down Interstate 71 with all three points.

Check out photos from the contest here.

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• Quick life update: what’s been going on lately

• A busy stretch and what’s been keeping me moving

Travels Around Ohio

• Recent trip to Huber Heights

• Stop at Buc-ee’s — first impressions and overall experience

  • What stood out

  • Thoughts and feelings about the visit

• A lot of travel lately — another packed week ahead

Ohio State Uniform Updates

• Ohio State reveals a new look

• The “heritage stripe” is officially here to stay

• New turf installation coming to Ohio Stadium

• What these changes mean for the program’s identity and game day feel

Columbus Eagles

• Game recap: tough late loss to FC Dayton

• Takeaways and thoughts on team performance

• What the team needs to improve

• Looking ahead to the next matchup

Delaware Rising

• Coming off a strong win against Ohio City

• Interview feature: Lindsey Whitmore

• Preview of upcoming game vs. Panthers

• Expect photos and additional coverage

Closing

• Another busy week ahead

• Stay tuned for more updates and coverage

Check out our full gallery of images here.

The Columbus Eagles experienced something Friday night, they hadn’t in 687 days, defeat in WPSL play. The Eagles fell to visiting FC Dayton 1-0 as Savannah Conner (Lehigh University) scored the game-winner for the visitors in the 83rd minute.

Columbus began the match on the front foot with sustained possession in the attacking third. Alivia Payne and Nikki Cox nearly linked up in the opening quarter hour. The Eagles also got notable contributions from players like Angela Boyce (University of Akron) and Cameryn Susey (Eastern Michigan).

The match shifted to one that was contested at midfield with both teams trading possession. Dayton mounted an attack of its own forcing saves from Columbus goalkeeper Olivia Alford.

Both teams returned to the field following the halftime intermission with a renewed focus on capturing the lead and taking home the win. FC Dayton attacked early on with a persistent attack that Columbus on its heels. The Eagles attempted to hit back, but the stingy Dayton defense frustrated Columbus as shots came from distance or were off target.

FC Dayton got its breakthrough when Conner floated a shot toward the back post that beat Alford and gave her team the lead with six minutes plus stoppage time to go.

The Eagles mounted a furious attack in the dying moments, but couldn’t convert and fell by the 1-0 scoreline.

A Delaware Rising original on the women’s side, she touches on the big victory against Ohio City and looks ahead to Sunday’s matchup against Panthers FC in the Ashland area.

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For the second time in as many years, the Columbus Eagles open a new Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season by welcoming FC Dayton to Fortress Obetz.

The Central Ohio WPSL squad returns, hoping to replicate the success of 2025, when the Eagles went a perfect 8-0-0 in regular-season play. Columbus ultimately chose not to participate in the playoffs due to logistical challenges.

Last season, the Eagles opened with a 4-1 victory over FC Dayton at Historic Crew Stadium. Nikki Cox struck with a hat trick, helping usher the home side into its new era at Fortress Obetz.

The Eagles led their division in 2025 on both the offensive and defensive sides, impressing at each end and outscoring opponents 26-3 en route to their first division title in club history.

We will provide updates from Fortress Obetz tonight, starting at 6:30 pm.

Follow along on Twitter.

The Ohio State Football teased a new look that would debut on May 11th at 6:14 pm, and that’s exactly what they did as the Buckeyes unleashed a new take on their “Tunnel Vision” uniforms. The all-black uniform features some key updates that help current Buckeyes honor program traditions. One that turned the most heads on social media was the evolved Buckeye Stripe on the sleeves.

Originally introduced in 2015 and last worn in 2022, this fan-favorite alternate now includes a silver flake finish on the black helmet for a bolder look while matching the signature silver aesthetic.

While it is unclear when the uniform will be worn or if Ohio State will actually compete in a nighttime game, the reaction on social media has generally been positive.

Here’s what OSU had to say about the uniform via its website earlier today.

Tunnel Vision Uniform Details
The Tunnel Vision combination – black helmet, black jersey, and black pants – builds on its history as a modern staple in Ohio State’s uniform rotation. It incorporates the Buckeye Stripe pattern on the sleeves, a Block O crest, and a festoon tradition collar. The silver flake helmet provides an authentic resemblance to the program’s silver helmets while keeping the striking black vibe.

Buckeye Stripe Evolution
Developed in collaboration with Nike, the evolved Buckeye Stripe features metallic silver sleeves designed to more closely match the iconic silver of Ohio State’s helmets. This subtle enhancement honors their original vision while bringing sharper visual consistency across the uniform, preserving the spirit of a signature element that has defined Buckeye football for generations.

As the program’s uniforms changed over time, the stripe remained a symbol of continuity – a visual link to Ohio State’s standard of excellence, championship tradition, and distinct identity forged under Hayes and Biggs. The Buckeye Stripe designation recognizes that the look has never been static; it has evolved alongside the program – while preserving what makes Ohio State football distinct.

“Block O” on Jersey Collar
Ohio State Football will don the “Block O” at the center of the collar on the front of this jersey. This is Ohio State’s most iconic and versatile symbol, representing strength, pride, and an unbreakable spirit. As part of the official mark of The Ohio State University, it stands at the center of Ohio Stadium’s field design and embodies the collective identity of Buckeye Nation — instantly recognizable as a bold emblem of tradition and excellence.

Festoons on Inside Jersey Collar
A meaningful uniform detail, incorporating a decorative festoon pattern inside the jersey collar — an homage to the architectural heritage of Ohio Stadium. The festoon ornamentation is featured throughout Ohio Stadium, designed by Howard Dwight Smith whose vision was heavily influenced by ancient Roman architecture. The use of festoons — common in Greco-Roman design — symbolizes celebration, victory, and honor. This addition continues Ohio State’s Tradition Evolved initiative — ensuring that every detail reflects the enduring identity of Ohio State Football program.

Nike Partnership &Performance Technology
Nike worked closely with Ohio State’s staff to craft the Tunnel Vision uniform that fuses tradition with elite performance. Built on the Vapor F.U.S.E. platform, the system utilizes lightweight, stretch woven fabric and laser perforations to minimize weight and allow for airflow in the heat of competition. Made from at least 85% recycled nylon or polyester fibers, the F.U.S.E. template features elements engineered for comfort, softness, strength, thermal regulation, and range of motion.

Shop Now!
Replica jersey sales will launch this July through the Ohio State Team Shop. Additional player-specific merchandise – including hats, hoodies, shirts, and collectibles—will roll out closer to the 2026 season, available both in-store and online at GoBuckeyes.com.

KICKOFF TIME FOR MICHIGAN GAME REVEALED

It’s noon, because of tradition, that’s why.

In an interesting move, the Cleveland Guardians optioned catcher Bo Naylor to the Columbus Clippers following a trade that saw two-time Gold Glove-winning catcher Patrick Bailey make his way to Northeast Ohio.

It’s been a rough start to the 2026 campaign for Naylor, as he’s hitting .143 with an OPS of .438 across 28 games. He has two home runs and seven RBIs, but that was enough to prompt the Guardians to look for help behind the dish. Enter Patrick Bailey.

He’s not much of an offensive improvement, if any, but many around baseball consider him an asset behind the plate with his elite framing and blocking. His pairing alongside clubhouse favorite Austin Hedges will give the Guardians a catching tandem that can help support a developing and youthful Cleveland rotation.

Heading to Columbus will allow Naylor to refocus and work on his mechanics in a familiar setting. He thrived in Central Ohio prior to his call-up and hopes for a similar outcome once again.