Wednesday, April 19.2023, the Loyalist soccer team hosted the Eastdale Eagles at the Welland Youngs Sportsplex in their first regular season game.

In the first half, the Loyalists had to play into a strong wind allowing Eastdale to start the stronger of the two teams. Fortunately, Kevin Buechler pulled off two big saves to keep Eastdale off the board as RLA settled into the game. 

The Loyalists’ nerves calmed as the half progressed, playing disciplined and organized soccer. Reece Continelli, Elias Braun, Ramiro Torres, and Oscar Oceguera combined nicely up front and created several chances for the Loyalists but could not capitalize on their openings. 

The Loyalists would pay for their wastefulness in front of the goal as Eastdale would take the lead from the penalty spot nearing the end of the half. 

Overall, the Loyalists carried the run of play but found themselves down 1-0 at the half.

With momentum heading into the break and the wind at our backs, the Academy could play a more open and offensive style of play in the second half. The Loyalists would tie the game quickly into the second half as Ramiro Torres broke through the Eagles’ backline and confidently placed the ball past the keeper. RLA would continue its assault on the Eastdale goal, and Oscar would give the Academy a lead following a scrappy play in front of the net. 

However, the Academy would surrender its lead against the run of play as Eastdale capitalized off a Loyalist defensive error. The Loyalists would not be denied on the afternoon, though. Torres’s beautiful free kick would soar into the top corner to regain the lead, and RLA would never look back. 

Continelli would control a lovely cross from Torres with his chest and fire home an insurance goal before Ocequera would finish the Eagles off, scoring a classy goal after a slaloming dribble through the Eastdale defensive line. The Loyalists would claim a deserved 5-2 victory at the final whistle.

The boys should feel proud of their opening game victory. Every member of the team worked hard and contributed to the win. 

The Academy has a special athletic tradition during our soccer season. After each game, a student is selected to wear the #8 jersey as their dress of the day, recognizing their hard work and representation of the school’s values. The tradition was started in 2016 to honour Lt. Dugas, a former soccer coach who passed away that year. 

The first student awarded the jersey is Oscar Oceguera., a Grade 9 student who scored two goals in the Academy’s 5-2 victory over Eastdale.