Although the Delmarva Christian boys’ soccer team lost its Senior Night game 2-0 to Delmar Oct. 3, the overall mood of the lads was a positive one.

“It's weird to feel like you win a game when you lose a game,” said Royals coach Luke Shiderly.

Before praising his senior class, Shiderly noted the team had not fared well against public schools in 2024, but their form against Delmar was so good it forced a normally defensive team in the Wildcats to press Delmarva Christian. 

“We put up a good fight,” said senior Kasey Bell. “Obviously, we want to win the game – that's the whole goal of playing – but I feel like we were able to communicate very well on the back line and keep our line tight together so they weren't getting as many three balls. We were forcing them offside a lot.”

Bell, a captain, was asked to fill in due to some injuries in the center-back ranks. The game was destined for stalemate at the half before Delmar emphatically knocked in a rebound to open the scoring. Once the Royals started play, the halftime whistle blew. 

The Wildcats continued to force the issue on offense, leading to a magnificent play on a corner that involved a few lets, some screens, and a worm-burner slipping past Isaiah McCluskey. Security for Delmar and a fatal blow to Delmarva Christian’s winning chance, the goal was no easy feat. McCluskey registered 23 saves in the match, including a handful of stops on one-on-ones in both halves. 

McCluskey started in place of an injured Quinn Downs, and while the senior was bummed to miss the game, he still enjoyed himself.

“It was hard to watch it, I can't lie, but I am extremely proud of the boys and the fight they put up today,” Downs said. “As a leader of the team, seeing any game from the sideline can be tough, but the energy we had, and the hard work we put in, it just felt good as a spectator.”

Downs enjoyed his protege’s show too.

“He did amazing – I'll praise him – he's pushed me to get better, we push each other, so it was amazing to see him in his second start of the year,” Downs said.

A 2-0 loss, but a reminder to the Royals of the types of problems they can create for opponents. 

“This felt like a comeback game, because this was a very good team, and we played very well,” senior James Blair said.

Blair made his first career start in the contest and got in quite a few battles on the sidelines, as did fellow senior Christian Worley who also got the nod.

“I don't start every game, and I had to play hard and play for the team because this is my last home game, and I had to show out and show how the team should play in the future,” Worley said.

Senior defensive midfielder Mauricio Chavez was reflective following the game.

“Today, I feel like it's been a journey, and I'm very proud,” Chavez said. “Even though we lost, we lost with dignity, we lost with honor, and it wasn't as bad as it was before.”