The Royals wrapped up their regular season home schedule Thursday night against the visiting Lambton Lions. A pair of goals from Redeemers' Serena DeJong, including the winner in the 73rd minute, was enough for the Royals as the home team overcame the Lions 3-1.
Redeemer entered the match with a close record against the Lions in their previous 10 matches. With a 5-4-1 record, the Royals held a slight edge against the visitors. The Royals won both their regular season matches against Lambton last season, 3-0 and 4-2.
Facing them for the first time in 2019, Redeemer got off to a quick start. Serena DeJong slotted home her first of the game under Lambton's keeper in the 4th minute. Dejong needed just one touch to put the ball away after an exceptional pass over Lambton's defensive line by
Sera Smith.
Having no trouble generating scoring changes, Redeemer finished the first half with 10 shot attempts to Lambton's 2.
The second half began with a penalty shot for the Lions in the 46th minute. Alysia Knapp tied it up for Lambton with a well placed shot.
The rest of the match was owned by the home team. 13 shot attempts to Lambton's 2, had the visitors scrambling for most of the 2nd half. DeJong netted her second of the match in the 73rd minute off of a well-struck free kick from 30 yards out. The brace was Serena's first of the season, and the free kick goal proved to be the game winner.
Danica Buys would add an insurance goal 5 minutes later, her first of the season, to put the Royals up 3-1
Thursday night's match was the final home league game for 4 Royals athletes.
Andie Albert,
Kirsten Klompmaker, Joelle McCaan, and
Cara Nash all dressed for their last home league game.
As hosts of the 2019 OCAA Women's Soccer Championship, the Royals will have one more home game, a playoff match, on Wednesday October 23rd.
Redeemer will now travel to Niagara College next Wednesday in their final league game of the season. The Royals will look to keep their strong play going as their sights are set on their OCAA Quarterfinal match the following week. Game time in Welland is set for 6pm.
Gallery: (10/10/2019) Women's Soccer vs Lambton 10.10.19
