The Redeemer Royals Women's Soccer team opened up the 2019-2020 varsity season on Saturday as they hosted the St. Clair Saints in the season opener. The Royals took the field in front of a packed house but the visitors walked away with 3 points with a pair of late goals to win 2-0.
Saturday's opener featured the 2018-2019 Championship quarterfinalist Saints, against the 2019-2020 Championship host Royals.
The Royals knew they had a challenge on their hands, having lost all but one of their previous 8 matches. Redeemer drew the Saints last season on the road 2-2.
Redeemer was 0-5 at home against St. Clair in their previous 5 matches.
Despite a determined effort by the home team, the Royals couldn't hold on as the Saints netted a pair of late goals to steal the match and win 2-0.
Up until that point, the Royals played well against the Saints. The visitors racked up a number of shots, however most of them were from outside the 18 yard box and proved to be little threat for Redeemer's 2nd year keeper
Lilly Brown. Brown did make a number of key saves throughout the game to keep the match level at 0-0.
Ryan Morneau eventually opened the scoring for the Saints in the 75th minute, knocking in a bouncing ball in the box. Claire Lazarus sealed the game in the 90th after finding the back of the net from a tough outside angle that looped over Browns head.
Lilly Brown was sensational for the Royal in net. Brown recorded a Redeemer record 20 saves in the match.
The Royals will have a quick turnaround, facing the Conestoga Condors on Wednesday. The Condors enter the match 1-0, after defeating the Lambton Lions Saturday 4-1.
Game time in Ancaster is set for 4:00 PM.
