ANCASTER, ON. Day three of the NCCAA National Championship saw the Royals play their second match of pool play. Redeemer was the beneficiary of a day off on day two thanks to their #2 seed. Day two action in group B had Warner University face Trinity Christian College. Trinity was victorious 3-2.
The Royals took on the Trinity Christian College Trolls on day three for a spot in the National Championship. Entering the final match of pool play, Trinity led the group with three points. A Royals victory would have them win the group and advance to the National Championship. A tie or Redeemer loss would see the Trinity Trolls advance past the group stage and send the Royals home.
Trinity opened the match eager to clinch the pool. The Trolls dominated the opening fifteen minutes of play with pace and possession. Sparking several quality opportunities, however, the Royals shut them down and held the game at nil-nil.
Redeemer began to capitalize on their opportunities to control the ball. Due to the high Trinity press, the Royals had ample space to move the ball once they beat the front line.
Ivana Kanisek found herself in the middle of the pitch with space to work, the senior midfielder moved up field and rifled a ball on target. The Trinity keeper swallowed up the deep strike, but the Royals were sparked by the offensive push. Minutes later Kanisek once again had the ball at her feet in the box. Originally shutdown, the Trinity defender immediately turned the ball back over to the Royals.
Joelle Mitton then delivered the ball back to Kanisek in the box who fired it on net and beat the keeper. The tournament opener for the Royals had them leading Trinity 1-0 thirty minutes into the match.
Five minutes after the opener, Trinity was awarded a free-kick outside the box but missed high and wide on the set piece opportunity. The Trolls continued to play with pace and pushed the ball deep into the Redeemer end.
The Royals were executing their counterattack excellently in the first half. Redeemer had two counter opportunities that were barely shut down by Trinity.
Redeemer's keeper had a standout opening forty-five minutes. The first-year keeper Sarah Dejong shut down several key opportunities the Trolls presented.
Redeemer led Trinity 1-nil at halftime.
Trinity continued their pace in the second half, now with urgency to advance to the finals. Five minutes into the second half Trinity delivered a beautiful strike that found the back of the net tying the match 1-1.
The Royals began to gain momentum late in the half rattling off two close chances. Finally, the Royals delivered. Gracie Devries fired a ball on the net giving a rebound out to
Alia Breukelman who netted the go-ahead goal. Less than ten minutes remained and the Royals had their eyes set on the National Championship.
A minute later Trinity was awarded a penalty kick. The Trolls, with the chance to put them in a position to advance, capitalized on the penalty and tied the match at 2-2.
The final minutes were fruitless for Redeemer and the match ended in a draw 2-2. The Trinity Trolls eliminate the Royals from the group and advance to the NCCAA National Championship on Friday evening.
