By Michael Leandro

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team fell to the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks 2-0 in a blustery game at Downsview Park on Friday. 

Sitting sixth in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East standings, the Bold entered the match just within playoff contention, behind the fifth-ranked Ridgebacks. One of TMU’s familiar opponents, the two met earlier this season at Vaso’s field on Aug. 30, ultimately settling in a one-all draw. Looking to tip the score the second time around, the home team took to the pitch hoping to find their rhythm.

In the first 25 minutes, the Bold began on the front foot, playing with the wind to maximize their precision and offence on the right flank. TMU nearly found a breakthrough with second-year striker Taylor Fazzari shooting a rebound, but it deflected off the crossbar.

The Ridgebacks, who started flat-footed, got their first look in the 29th minute, but spent the rest of the half on the defensive line, preventing any goals while the wind played in the Bold’s favour. Neither side could break through at the end of the half as both teams trudged back to the locker room, tied scoreless.

After the half, the Ridgebacks went on the offensive, winning a penalty kick after a red card saw fourth-year goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci sent off the pitch. Not missing a moment, first-year substitute goalkeeper Will Boorne entered the game and executed a well-timed sideways dive to record her first-ever OUA save.

However, the celebration was short-lived. The Bold defence slipped as TMU conceded their first goal in the 63rd minute to fifth-year Ridgeback forward Jessica Shears, and their second one two minutes later to fourth-year forward Samantha Russell.

The Ridgebacks spent the rest of the match applying pressure and leveraging their defence to fend off the home team’s last-minute attempts, a tactic that saw them through to the final whistle.

Despite the loss, TMU retain their sixth-place ranking, moving to a 3-4-2 regular-season record. Three fixtures remain on the calendar, with the Bold’s final match scheduled for Oct. 18 against the Nipissing University Lakers. 

UP NEXT: The Bold meet back at Downsview Park tomorrow for a 1 p.m. kick-off, taking on the Laurentian Voyageurs.