On Monday night the Tigers started  regular season play by hosting Cumberland County. Though DeKalb jumped out to an early lead, they could not finish the game as Cumberland County came back to end the game in a tie.
DeKalb County once again proved that  the opening seconds of the game are as dangerous as anyone scoring in just 25 seconds.
In the opening drive the Tigers rushed down pushing through the team’s mid-field then beating the back-line for an opportunity to score. Javier Sanchez would slip a low line-drive shot hugging the right side of the goal, beating the keeper.
DeKalb’s offense would give them another chance to score as Juan Torres broke away with the ball then found Sanchez with the through-ball. Sanchez let loose with a high-rising shot that just carried over the goal for a goal-kick.
The defense for the Tigers held strong muffling any chances that Cumberland County would set up. The Tigers again found themselves in great position to score as they were awarded a free-kick at the seven-minute mark from about 15 yards out. Sanchez would take the shot and it would sail wide right for another goal-kick.
At the 11-minute mark the defense for DeKalb faltered, committing a cardinal sin in soccer by tripping up a potential scorer inside the box which resulted in a penalty kick that Cumberland County punched in to tie the game at 1-1.
The next chance DeKalb would get would come by way of a free-kick, this time coming from Geovany Guzman at the 17-minute mark and would send a finesse ball towards the keeper. As the keeper stretched to full extension he got just enough fingertips to deflect the ball’s trajectory for a corner.
On the corner attempt DeKalb found no luck as the kick sailed high over the keeper and the net for another goal-kick.
DeKalb came inches from another goal at the 33-minute mark as Torres made it through the defense on a through-ball from Ben Pafford. As the keeper came out and the defense crashed to the ball Torres let a shot go bouncing off defenders. As the ball was kicked around by multiple players on both teams DeKalb just missed an opportunity as Cumberland County’s keeper lay shaken up in the six-yard box.
Shortly the Tigers would again receive a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. Again Guzman would take the shot, this time sending a low-line drive through the back of the net to give DeKalb a 2-1 lead.
With just three minutes remaining in regular play a Cumberland defender was given a yellow card. As play continued on there was little extra time added and neither team could produce a goal as the first half ended.
The Tigers were first to strike in the second half at the 12-minute mark as Ben Pafford was set to take a free-kick from 20 yards out. Pafford sent in the ball, a low-line drive perfectly placed in the left side of the goal to make the score 3-1.
Cumberland County would next be  on the better side of a free-kick as they were granted a shot from 35 yards out. As the striker looked to place the shot in play the ball found its way through the defenders and crashed off the right post of the goal narrowly missing the net.
Play continued  clean through the 25-minute mark when the Tigers were awarded a free-kick. Zach Taylor would have his chance at the free-kick blasting the ball wide right for a goal-kick.
Soon after the free-kick the Tigers would steal away possession and drive down the field on a break away and cross the ball through the air, but it was deflected and cleared away for a corner kick.
Guzman would set up for the corner. Ben Pafford made good with the corner conecting with a header shot but was stopped by the keeper.
At the 30-minute mark Cumberland  broke away with the ball and broke down the defense of DeKalb for a goal to make the score 3-2.  With only three minutes to play Cumberland County had the momentum on a free-kick. On the free-kick, keeper Ben Driver made the initial save, then lost control of the ball. Cumberland capitalized on the mistake tying the game at 3-3.
In extra time Tiger Zach Taylor would receive his second yellow card immediately resulting in a red card and was forced to sit. Taylor will be eligible to play the next game.
DeKalb would have one last chance to bring them on top of the score board for a cross. Pafford sent in a great through-ball and Luis Richards was there to blast the ball with a header. The echo of the post rang through the stadium as he was just shy of a goal and the whistle sounded for the end of the game.