ANCASTER, ON. The NCCAA National Championship got underway Monday afternoon. Redeemer played in the second match on opening day against the Warner Royals. Warner University (Fl.) entered the tournament as the sixth seed and hoped to upset the two-seed Royals. 

Redeemer started the match strong applying pressure to Warner. Redeemer had several high-quality chances through the opening forty-five minutes. Emily Walraven nearly opened the scoring with a strike inside the box but was turned away by the Warner keeper. 

Warner had several chances of their own. Redeemer keeper Sarah DeJong had a momentum-shifting save early in the first half off a Warner free-kick. 

First-half action came to an end with neither side able to crack open the scoring.

Redeemer stormed into the second half maintaining the majority of the possession and creating high-quality chances. Emily Walraven nearly opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a deep strike that was swallowed up by the Warner keeper.

Following a Redeemer attack, Warner jumped on the counterattack. Rushing down the wing the Warner player crossed a ball into the box where two Warner strikers were waiting with one Redeemer defender. Warner managed to get the ball on the doorstep only the keeper to beat, but missed above the bar. 

Redeemer and Warner traded opportunities through to the final whistle. Neither side could find the back of the net and settled for a nil-nil draw.

Redeemer is back on the pitch Wednesday when they face #3 Trinity Christian College to determine the pool play standings.