Niagara went undefeated Friday night in Welland, where it kicked off the college soccer season against the Redeemer Royals.

After the Niagara women blanked the visitors from Ancaster 1-0 on Tessa Vahrmeyer’s game-winner three minutes into the match and a clean slate from Knights goalkeeper Sarah Haist, the men came back from a two-goal deficit to earn a tie.

Rob Lalama, head coach of the women’s team, said Niagara “entered the game with anticipation, a little nervousness and a lot of confidence.”

“Aneisha (Gobbels) played a perfect pass to Tessa for the only goal of the game.

“From there, we played a solid game where we were able to create numerous changes.”

Vahrmeyer, a second-year forward, was selected as the college’s first female athlete of the week of the 2025-26 season, while Ma

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