Delaware rises to the challenge to down Ohio City 5-1, advance to NOSL Championship
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.