HAMILTON, ON - Friday night OCAA soccer action had the Redeemer Royals (0-1) visit cross-town rivals, Mohawk Mountaineers (1-0). The Mountaineers enter their home opener against the Royals following a road victory over the Sheridan Bruins on opening weekend. Mohawk has fielded a strong women's soccer program for the past several years, which has consistently given the Royals a challenge in head-to-head matchups. 

Redeemer, eager to record their first win of the season against none other than a local rival, started the game strong. In the Royals' first match, the Reds started slow and conceded an early goal, which proved to be the decider. Poised and determined to learn from their match one mistake, Redeemer controlled the game early in Friday's match. The Royals dominated the possession battle through the opening twenty minutes; however, this appeared to fit the Mountaineers' game plan. Mohawk held their shape and defended the center of the pitch well. 

The first opportunity of the match was in favour of the Royals. Fourth year forward, Grace Devries capitalized on the tremendous pressure Redeemer pressed on the Mountaineers. Following a turnover deep in the Mohawk end, Devries delivered an excellent cross into the eighteen-yard box, which was turned away by the keeper.

The Royals continued to dominate possession late in the first half, while the Mountaineers' structure began to dwindle. First year Royal Ava Manshanden nearly opened the scoring as she fired a shot from twenty-five yards out. The Mohawk keeper turned aside Manshanden with an outstretched hand, directing the ball over the crossbar. 

First half action ended nil-nil.

Redeemer picked up the second half play where they left off in the first. The Royals continued to dominate possession throughout the second half of action. Near the midpoint of the second half, fourth-year Royals captain Emily Walraven had a near-highlight-reel goal from a free kick. Walraven's free kick grazed the crossbar high. 

It was the Mountaineers who struck first. A deep free kick was awarded to Mohawk, and they delivered a highlight reel goal. Mohawk's Madison Rodriguez scored the goal of the year on the Royals to break free from the Redeemer offensive pressure.

Despite the Royals controlling the majority of possession and the pace of play, Mohawk executed their game plan to perfection. The defensive-minded Mountaineers only needed one chance to take the lead, and they capitalized. 

Mohawk improves to 2-0 on the season, defeating two of the top four programs from last season. Redeemer falls to 0-2 and will look to bounce back against the Lambton Lions Friday, September 19th. The Royals host Lambton for their home opener at David Mantel Field. 

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