RHSC OPL Teams Looking to Close Inaugural Seasons on High Note

RICHMOND HILL SC OPL TEAMS LOOKING TO CLOSE INAUGURAL SEASONS ON HIGH NOTE

THREE OF FOUR TEAMS PRIMED FOR TOP FOUR FINISHES IN DEBUT CAMPAIGNS

RICHMOND HILL, ON – TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026

As the 2026 Ontario Premier League (OPL) season winds down, three of the four Richmond Hill Soccer Club (RHSC) Raiders OPL teams have either clinched or are challenging for a place in the top four of their respective divisions, a remarkable achievement for an expansion club in the league.

The OPL3 Men’s team concluded its debut season last Friday night with a 1-0 home victory over Unionville-Milliken SC. The three points gave the Raiders a record of 5 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses, good for 20 points and a fourth-place finish in league standings. One

of the most notable results for the team this season was the 1-1 draw earned at Kingston against the league-leading Sentinels on July 10th. The team’s top scorer, with 5 goals from 9 games, was Ali Malik, a first-year Raider who joined from Winstars Academy and has

both NCAA and European playing experience.

“Led by Head Coach Henrich Svetko and Assistant Alex Caterenciuc, the Men’s OPL3 team competed in a challenging Northeast Division,” said Mirco Schroff, the club’s General Manager and Technical Director. “The Men’s squad laid a vital foundation for future

growth of the program. The team demonstrated high-performance character and showed great development throughout the season.”

The OPL3 Women’s team has enjoyed similar success, challenging established clubs and, with two games left to play, sit in fifth place, just one point from fourth. The highlight of the women’s campaign has been the attacking prowess of Naomi Atem and Celeste

Gordon, who are currently both among the top four in the scoring race, with 9 and 7 goals respectively. Gordon netted a hattrick in a win over Rush Academy on May 16th, and the Raiders have never lost when she scores. Atem also collected a hattrick in a thrilling 4-4

tie with Scrosoppi FC back on May 20th. Gordon returned to RHSC this season after playing with the club as a 14-year-old in the OPDL in 2017. She has spent time playing in England, in addition to brief spells with rival OPL clubs Unionville and North Mississauga. Atem joined RHSC this season from Alliance United. She currently also plays U-Sports soccer at the University of Toronto.

“Under the guidance of Head Coach Andrew Cairns and Assistant Hajra Khan, the Women’s OPL3 squad delivered a highly competitive debut campaign,” said Schroff. “The Raiders quickly proved they belonged, battling to a resilient mid-table position with a

record of 4 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses through their first twelve matches. The Women's squad set a remarkable standard for the future of the women's pathway at RHSC.”

The Raiders Men’s U20 team has also had a strong season, currently fourth in the table with a record of 7 wins, a draw and 4 losses. A 2-0 victory over the second ranked Sentinels at Kingston on June 6th was among their most significant results this season. Forward Abram Reynolds, in his fifth year at RHSC, is the team’s most prolific scorer with five goals from 10 games. The Raiders Women’s U20 team has had the most difficult inaugural campaign, currently bottom of the table in their six-team division with two games left to play.

“Beyond the results, the true success of the 2026 season was the realization of the RHSC player pathway,” Schroff said. “We successfully fielded rosters composed of talented local athletes, university commits, and players who have developed through our own grassroots and OPDL systems. Furthermore, the matchday experiences under the lights at Richmond Green brought our community together to support local talent in a way we’ve never seen before.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to our players, our nationally licensed coaching staff, our club staff, and—most importantly—the fans and families who cheered on the Raiders this season. The foundation has been firmly set, and we are already looking forward to

building on this momentum for the 2027 OPL season.”

Schroff and members of his technical staff, as well as notable players from the four teams, are available for post-season interviews. Please contact me to make arrangements. Please contact me also for access to photos of select RHSC teams in action.

About Richmond Hill SC

Founded in 1968, Richmond Hill SC is the largest recreational club in the city of Richmond Hill and one of the largest soccer clubs in York Region, boasting more than 5400 year-round registrations. RHSC is a non-profit organization and provides year-round development programs for players, coaches and referees. For more about Richmond Hill SC, visit: https://www.richmondhillsoccer.com/home/

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