It was a busy week for the Redeemer Royals Department of Athletics & Recreation. Other than the soccer programs, Redeemer's varsity teams are in the thick of pre-season play. A full slate of non-conference action kept the Royals busy as they continue to prepare for the season openers. Here's what you need to know from this week past.

Slumping Soccer Teams Looking to Rebound
The Redeemer Royals soccer teams are in a slump and will look to break out of it this Thursday against their rival, the Mohawk Mountaineers. Both the men's and women's teams dropped road matches on Saturday to the strong Fanshawe Falcons. The women fell 8-0 to the home squad while the men dropped their match 4-1. 

The Lady Royals remain winless on the season while the men's team saw their record slide to 3-3. A number of key match-ups over the next two weeks will see the Royals either position themselves for a run at the playoffs or fall out of contention. 

WSOC - Redeemer 0 Fanshawe 8
Redeemer (0-6 OCAA)
Next Match Thursday October 8, 6:00pm vs Mohawk

MSOC - Redeemer 1 (Noah Murray) Fanshawe 4
Redeemer (3-3 OCAA)
Next Match Thursday October 8, 8:00pm vs Mohawk

Men's Basketball Opens up Non-Conference Play against OUA
The best way to prepare yourself for OCAA competition might just be to play OUA competition. This appears to be the philosophy of men's basketball head coach Jamie Girolametto. The Royals battled the Waterloo Warriors on Friday night and will face the McMaster Mauraders this week followed by a trip to Western University next week. 

Redeemer dropped their opening non-conference match to the Warriors on Friday night 91-78. As Redeemer continues to prepare themselves for their season opener on October 28th at Fanshawe, the Royals will keep getting a taste of some of the best University basketball teams in the Province. Their next opportunity comes Wednesday night when Redeemer hosts their Hamilton neighbour McMaster. 

MBB - Redeemer 78 - Waterloo 91
Oliver McMayoni - 18 points
Redeemer Non-Conference (0-1)
Next Match Wednesday October 7, 7:30pm vs McMaster

Cross Country Continues Preparation for Provincial Championships
The Redeemer Royals Cross Country team traveled to the Waterloo Warriors Invitational on Saturday to gain some valuable experience as the OCAA Provincial Championships creep closer and closer. Redeemer went on the road to face some OUA competition, taking a break from running against their competing OCAA teams. 

The full race results from Waterloo can be found here. Redeemer will join back up with the OCAA circuit Saturday October 17th when they travel to Seneca College. 

A Look Ahead
2 home games remain for the Redeemer Royals Soccer Teams. Both programs need a pair of wins to keep their playoff hopes alive before heading out on the road to end their season for 2 straight. 

McMaster is coming to Redeemer. The Hamilton powerhouse institution will make their way to tiny Redeemer this Wednesday for an evening tilt against the Royals Men's Basketball team. Redeemer hosted McMaster in pre-season volleyball action and the men's basketball team will look for revenge for a pair of those losses.