NORWICH – Valley Heights Christian Academy opened the 2009 soccer season hosting the Oswego Royals at Weiler Park Friday, Sept. 11, For the VHCA girls this was the same opponent they defeated 1-0 in double overtime for the playoff championship last season. This time, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

VHCA scored the first and only goal of the first half when Mickala Miller netted a goal at 4:43 of the first period assisted by Cheyanne Ditty.

Emily Rumo opened the second-half scoring for the Royals with a goal at 29:12 and added a second goal at 19:11. The Crusaders tied the score at 13:16 when Amanda Evans took a shot from the 18-yard box, and Sarah Miedema redirected past the goalie.

The Crusaders’ boys team also defeated the Royals,10-2. Luke Halberg scored three first-period goals at 28:28, 23:04, and 10:02 assisted by Andrew Hunt, Reid Rose and Justin Miller respectively. Miller scored at 17:51 and Hunt at 3:07 both assisted by L. Halberg. Halberg opened the second-half scoring with a goal at 29:06 assisted by Ryan Rose. Ryan Rose netted a goal at 22:02 when Halberg took the ball deep and fed it back to Rose coming down the slot.