Delaware Rising begins playoff journey against Ohio City
The two teams rekindle their rivalry dating back to the 2023 NOSL Final.
The Delaware Rising women kick off their postseason journey Sunday afternoon with a highly anticipated matchup in Northeast Ohio, reigniting one of the Northern Ohio Soccer League’s (NOSL) premier rivalries.
They’ll take on Ohio City SC at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, with kickoff set for 4 PM.
This rivalry has roots stretching back to 2023, the inaugural season of the NOSL women’s division. That year, Delaware Rising triumphed 2-1 in a dramatic championship final. Goals from Kindall Duke and Sarah Gundler—both converted penalties—sealed the victory, while goalkeeper Brianna Rogers delivered a clutch performance between the posts.
Fast forward to 2025, and the rivalry remains fierce. Ohio City swept this season’s regular-season series, earning a 2-0 win in Delaware and a 2-1 victory at home in “The Land.” Now, they meet again in a playoff showdown with everything on the line.
Ohio City enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed, boasting an undefeated 8-0-2 record and an imposing +41 goal differential. Delaware Rising isn’t far behind as the No. 3 seed, finishing the regular season 6-0-4 with a +13 differential.
While the numbers favor Ohio City, Delaware has proven it can turn up the heat offensively. Explosive wins of 8-0 and 6-1 earlier this season highlight their scoring potential.
In goal, Ella Schwertfager will look to anchor a resilient Delaware defense. Up front, veterans Kindall Duke and Lindsey Whitmore lead the attack, supported by dynamic young talents like Sofia Walton (Capital University) and Megan Michaels (North Central College).
With history, momentum, and playoff stakes all in play, this promises to be another chapter in one of NOSL’s most compelling rivalries.