Delaware Rising Win Men’s Final

Jul 26

Delaware Rising lift their first NOSL league trophy after beating Mansfield Liederkranz 2-1 on July 26.

COPLEY, Ohio. — The Delaware Rising men’s team completed a historic season with a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Liederkranz in the NOSL Men’s Final on Saturday evening, July 26 at Copley High School to secure their first league title in club history.

Just 20 days after winning the League Cup, their first trophy, DRFC completed the double by earning the NOSL title as well. The Rising have been in the playoffs every season since they joined the league back in 2021 but had never won the league. They were finalists in 2024 but ultimately fell 6-0 to Ohio City SC in a lopsided game. The 2025 final was very different.

The first half was back and forth with both teams having several chances to score. Liederkranz struck first through Bruno Vargas’ chipped shot that snuck by onrushing goalkeeper Gabe Thomas. Just before halftime, however, Delaware defender Eli Traber was pulled down in the Liederkranz box on a corner kick and the referee awarded a penalty. Landon Kuhn calmly converted the penalty to bring the game level heading into halftime.

The second half was again hotly contested and it looked like the game may be headed for extra time as neither side could find a goal until Delaware Rising quickly countered down the field in the 78th minute. Mubelele Mhango’s cross snuck by the outstretched palm of diving Mansfield goalkeeper Christian Dean where Rising forward Aidan Shepardson had the composure to finish the cross into the back of the net. The celebration that ensued showed the relief on the Delaware faces after a tense second half. Delaware saw the game out to the final whistle and lifted their second trophy of the season.