ANCASTER, Ont. - Redeemer University College plays host to the 2019 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Soccer Championship beginning Wednesday.

Redeemer (1-8-0, 9th West) vs. Seneca (9-0-0, 1st East)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 3 p.m.

The Royals open the Championships against the undefeated Sting. Redeemer will be in tough but will look for the upset against the East's top seed. To do so, the Royals will need to rely on their veterans to advance.

Despite an unimpressive record, the Royals enter the Championship finally healthy, playing their best soccer of the season. The Royals have also competed well against some of the top teams in the country this season. Redeemer dropped a 2-1 decision on the road against the CCAA #1 Nationally ranked Falcons.

The top scorer on the Royals is fourth-year midfielder Serena DeJong (Ancaster, Ont.) with three goals this season. 

Their opponent, the Seneca Sting, remain the only OCAA team this season to win every match taking 10 straight, including a 5-0 win over Conestoga in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Sting are led by reigning OCAA Rookie of the Year Sona Makulova (Czech Republic) and her dozen regular season goals. Seneca gave up a league low five goals against, while scoring a league-high 49 times.

Seneca has lost the OCAA bronze medal match the last three seasons, as the Sting look to finish on the podium for the first time since taking silver in 2015.

All three of last year's OCAA medalists return to the big stage for the Championship as well, including the defending provincial gold medalist Fanshawe Falcons, the three-time runner-up Humber Hawks, and bronze winner Durham Lords.

Three other OCAA quarter-final matches take place on Wednesday, leading to Friday's semi-finals. The semi-final winners advance to Saturday's gold medal match, while the losing teams play for bronze. There will not be a consolation round unlike past championships.

Thursday will be a rest day for the semi-finalists, with the championship banquet taking place.

The other three teams advancing to provincials include the Algonquin Thunder, Niagara Knights,  and Sheridan Bruins.

The OCAA champion and runner-up advances to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer National Championship in Edmonton from Nov. 6-9.