After an unprecedented start to the season for the Redeemer Royals Men's Soccer team, the group found themselves entering Saturday's OCAA Playoff match having lost 3 of their last 4. Looking to turn things around, Redeemer hosted the UTM Eagles in a winner-take-all match with the victor advancing to the OCAA Provincial Championship. 

Redeemer began the season on a 6-game unbeaten streak, their best start to a season ever. In Saturday's match, the Royals were hoping to find a bit of that magic back, entering the game with a 2-0-3 record on home turf. 

The Royals came out strong in the match, dictating the play, and creating the majority of the games scoring chances. Before the 10 minute mark, the Royals were awarded a free-kick outside the 18-yard box. Redeemer's Wes Schilstra stepped up and rattled it off the crossbar as the home team came desperately close to opening the scoring. Redeemer continued to maintain much of the possession until the 22nd minute when the Eagles capitalized on one of their few chances of the match to take the lead 1-0. 

After UTM's first goal, the Royals seemed to struggle to recover, conceding again 12 minutes later in the 34th as the visitors appeared to take control of the match. The Eagles took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

As the second half began, so did the thunder. On a cool and rainy afternoon, the game was suspended for 30 minutes after thunder made its way over Redeemer's soccer field. 

After the 30 minute delay, the Eagles began where they left off, creating the majority of the scoring chances applying continuous pressure on Redeemer's defense. A goal shortly after half, put the Eagles up 3-0 to put the game out of reach for Redeemer. The Royals would add a goal late in 90th minute, but not before UTM had scored two more in the 66th and 75th minute. 

With the win, UTM advances to next week's OCAA Men's Soccer Provincial Championship, hosted by George Brown College. Redeemer's season comes to an, as the team will now turn their attention to the competitive Indoor Soccer season. 

Despite the difficult loss in the crossover match, the Royals will look fondly back on the 2018-2019 season. Redeemer went undefeated at home in regular season play, conceding just 4 goals. Their 6-game unbeaten streak was the longest in a season for the program and their 5 wins was a men's soccer record. 17 total points was also a program record for a Redeemer men's soccer team.