ANCASTER, ON – The Redeemer Royals women's soccer team hosted the Lakehead Orillia Thunderwolves in the OCAA Playoff Qualifying Crossover Game on Wednesday night.
The Royals were looking to advance to the Quarter Final for the second straight season.
The Thunderwolves came out swinging, controlling much of the game through the first ten minutes while the Royals gained their footing.
After the 10th minute, the momentum started to swing. It was the Royals starting to control play. And it didn't take much longer for Kendall Bezemer to find herself on a partial breakaway. She shot, was robbed, but was able to find the rebound and bury it to give the Royals the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
The Royals controlled much of play after during the opening half. In the 38th minute, Charis Johnson was able to find a wide-open Brooke Jurjens out front. The Rookie made no mistake and the Royals took a 2-0 lead.
With all the chances that Redeemer had, this game could have been over by halftime, but a 2-0 would have to suffice.
The second half was almost an inverse of the first half, with the Royals starting with momentum. More opportunities that couldn't quite connect. But the Thunderwolves were hanging around.
About ten minutes into the second half, it was Lakehead Orillia that turned it on. In the 58th minute, the Thunderwolves were able to earn themselves a free kick. On the ensuing play, Lakehead's Ericka Powell was able to sail one in.
The Thunderwolves would continue pressing for the rest of the game, including an onslaught beyond the 80th minute. But Jasmine DeBoer stood tall, and the team defence limited opportunities. Specifically, multiple great plays from Angelica Coretti and Alexis Van Aken made sure that nothing got through.
And that's how the game would end. The Royals advance to the OCAA Quarter Finals to be played on Saturday. Opponent and location is TBD as other teams across the OCAA continue play.
