The Delmarva Christian boys’ soccer team swept Salisbury School in 2024, including ending the Dragons’ season in the ESIAC playoffs, but this year the Dragons are a different beast.

Salisbury School came into the Royals’ home opener after toppling Laurel 3-0 Sept. 3 and dispatching the 2024 ESIAC champion Worcester Prep 8-0 Sept. 5. 

In the opening half, Delmarva Christian dominated possession early, but could not convert, and was stifled by a tough midfield. Salisbury senior Niland Gallo proved all he needed was a good entry pass to make things happen, striking twice in the final 20 minutes of the first half to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead at halftime.

With last year’s playoff game ending with emotions running high, it seemed Salisbury School used that chip on their shoulder to get under a Royals team with a lot of new faces. Offensive chances throughout the game for Delmarva Christian, however, ended with inner-fighting more often than not.

“Our guys let their emotions get away from them, and it took us out of the game,” said Delmarva Christian coach Luke Shiderly. “We need to be more in control of our emotions in a game, even when things aren’t going our way.”

Shiderly demanded answers from his squad at halftime as to why the Dragons were outworking the Royals to spots and 50/50 balls. Delmarva Christian seemed to respond with more effort, but couldn’t break the ice, despite some creativity and chances to do so.

Salisbury senior Colby Sieg unofficially ended the game with a 35-yard free kick that rocketed just above Isiah McCluskey’s fingers and under the crossbar for a 3-0 advantage that would increase to 4-0 before the final whistle.

“We just need to focus on this year and the games we play one day at a time,” Shiderly said. “The Dragons didn’t lose a single player from last year, so it’s a copy-and-paste team, where we lost over seven starters. So there is a lot that goes into a game like that, but we need to not make any excuses and keep a level head and be ready for them the next time we play them.”