ANCASTER, ON. The Redeemer Royals faced the Humber Hawks Friday afternoon in an OCAA Semi-Final. Friday's match was hosted by the Seneca Sting who welcome the OCAA Final Four. Entering Friday's match the Royals had not lost to the Hawks in two years (1-0-3). The two elite OCAA programs have had four closely contested matches over the past two years. 

The Humber Hawks were OCAA Silver Medalists a year ago and welcome back nearly every starting player. Humber looked to lean on their vast post-season experience to help push them past the Royals.

First-half action got underway at Newnham Field with plenty of Royals fans in the stands. The RU Royal Family is known league-wide for their relentless support.

The Humber Hawks brought the intensity from the opening whistle. The opening ten minutes saw the Hawks with possession in Redeemer's half. This is one of the first times all year that the Royals have not been dominant in the opening minutes.

Redeemer settled into the match, however, Humber maintained the majority of possession. The Humber Hawks were awarded a corner kick in the 33rd minute. Humber forward Kaitlynn Russell entered the ball from the corner and Chantel Spalla got her head to the ball for a spectacular goal. The Hawks opened the scoring halfway through the opening forty- five.

After conceding their first goal of the post-season and only seventh of the year, Redeemer began to fight back. The Royals were looking for a spark of momentum and built three close opportunities in the first half. All three Royals chances came from set pieces. The Humber back line had an excellent game limiting the Royals from getting any high-quality opportunities to even the scoring. At half, the Royals trailed 1-nil.

Entering the OCAA Semi-Final, Redeemer had only trailed for twenty-eight minutes all season. Second-half action kicked-off with the Royals backs against the wall. Redeemer cranked up the intensity but were matched by the experienced Humber eleven. Each move the Royals made, Humber was ready to shut down and counter. 

The RU Royal Family tried to spur the Royals on with chants from the crowd, but Humber played exceptional defence. 

The Humber Hawks were able to distinguish the Royals gold medal hopes as they closed the match with a 1-nil win. The Royals player of the match named by the OCAA was midfielder Ivana Kanisek. Kanisek was active all over the pitch and an influential part of each Royals opportunity. 

The Royals are set to face the Sheridan Bruins in the OCAA Bronze Medal Match tomorrow, Saturday, October 26th at 12:00 PM.  The match at Newnham Field will be followed by the OCAA Championship match between the Humber Hawks and Seneca Sting.