With one game left in the 2019 regular season, the Lambton Lions men’s soccer team are now in full control of their playoff aspirations.

Thursday night, the Lions picked up a crucial three points to keep themselves in the playoff hunt with a 2-0 win over the Redeemer Royals on their home turf in Ancaster.

The win for the Lions comes on the heels of an OCAA decision that awarded Lambton a win in their season opener against the Conestoga Condors. Lambton was awarded a 1-0 win over the Condors due to unreleased circumstances.

Having been awarded the win over the Condors, the playoff outlook drastically changed for the Lions. Against the Royals, the Lions played their most complete game of the season to keep themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Lambton held the home side to just one shot attempt in the first half while sending seven shots of their own towards the Redeemer net. Just before the half was out, midfielder Mitch McAuley (Petrolia, ON; 1^st Year) found the back of the net on a header that found its way into the top corner to get the Lions on the board.

The goal was McAuley’s fourth in the Lions’ last five games.

In the second half, the Lions continued to apply pressure with the hope of putting more separation between themselves and the Royals. In the 75^th minute, striker Dwayne Lambert-Cadore (Etobicoke, ON; 3^rd) was taken down in the box and the Lions were awarded a penalty kick. Juan Galindo Jr. (Seville, Spain; 2^nd) stepped up to the spot and put one past the Redeemer keeper to extend Lambton’s lead to 2-0.

Keeper Ky Duong (Sarnia, ON; 1^st) stopped both shots on target from the Royals to post his first clean sheet of the year.

With the win, the Lions improve to 2-5-1 on the season with one game left to play. Currently, they are tied for sixth in the West Division standings with the Mohawk Mountaineers. Due to goal differential, the Lions sit in seventh spot due to the Mountaineers boasting a better plus/minus on the scoreboard.

Sitting one point ahead of the Niagara College Knights with one game left in the season, the focus for the Lions ahead of their regular season finale is rather simple.

Win and you’re in.

Lambton will host the St. Clair Saints on Wednesday, October 16^th in the regular season finale at the Lambton College Soccer Field. A win for Lambton guarantees themselves a spot in the playoffs. A loss, however, puts the Lions at the mercy of others in the division, and they would need some help to make the post-season.

Wednesday’s game is set for 5 p.m.