ANCASTER, ON. Redeemer Men's Soccer season has begun. The Royals travelled to Windsor to face the St. Clair Saints. St. Clair Men's Soccer starts the 2024 campaign following hosting the 2023 CCAA national championships. 

The Saints started hot, displaying their national championship experience as they buried a goal behind the Royals keeper in the 30th minute. 

Saint Clair did not possess the lead for long. Redeemer got possession and pressured the Saints. First-year defender Carter Vanderkruk followed up the Royals pressure, scoring a tap-in ball in the box to tie the match at 1-1. 

The score remained deadlocked at 1-1 entering half-time. 

Coach Matt Hahn rallied the Royals at the half and sparked early momentum in the second half. Rayan Barbosa capitalized on heavy offensive pressure by the Royals and scored in his first game back as a Royal. Redeemer's offence did not stop there. Barbosa found the back of the net for a second time in the match to extend the Royals lead to 3-1. 

Following the early second-half offensive success, Redeemer switched into a defensive gear to hold off the Saints. The Royals had two key defensive plays in the last twenty minutes to remain in front. Redeemer keeper Matthew Derks swatted away a partial breakaway opportunity jumping up and denying the St. Clair forward. Third-year defender Brendan Vanderkruk displayed his goalkeeping skills by blocking a sure goal with his chest on the goal line in the eighty-second minute. 

Redeemer captures three crucial points on the road. The Royals return to play on Wednesday, September 11th as they travel to Kitchener to take on the Conestoga Condors.