Redlands FC begins 2025 campaign with 3-2 win over Stars FC

Redlands FC battled the rain and Stars FC en route to a 3-2 season opening win Saturday night.

A packed Dodge Stadium crowd was buzzing as the whistle blew to begin the game. The first 10 minutes were largely controlled by Stars FC, who got a couple of balls into the box but were unable to get anything on net.

Redlands then slowly started to get going, and began to establish territory in the attacking half. What looked like a goal a half hour into the game was waved off due to offsides, but in the 36th minute Luka Lukic flicked a shot on net that beat the keeper to make it 1-0 Redlands. 

Redlands would double their lead less than 10 minutes later when Javier Hernandez sent a shot on net that earned him a goal in his club debut. Hernandez is a current UNC student-athlete and former California Gatorade Player of the Year. Just like that, it was 2-0 in favor of the home side. 

The Stars would not end the half without making some noise though, as they broke free off a giveaway to make it 2-1 in stoppage time, and that was how the first half would end. 

The second half was when Mother Nature made her prescribe known and a downpour of rain began. It did not matter to Redlands though, as Javier Hernandez less than a minute into the half earned a brace and made it a two goal lead again. 

Stars FC would convert their second goal in the late moments, but Redlands would hold them off enough to secure a 3-2 win and secure the three points. Javier Hernandez was named Man of the Match thanks to his brace. 

Redlands will now head on the road for their next four games, including a rematch with this same Stars FC side on May 23rd at 7 PM. Redlands will play 4 more away games after that before finally returning home June 19th against Capo FC, also at 7 PM.