By Santiago Ortega

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team were eliminated in the first round of the Ontario University Athletics playoffs by the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues on Wednesday night after a 5-0 loss at Varsity Stadium.

“It goes to show how much work we need to do if we want to compete against some of the top teams in this league,” said TMU head coach John Yacou.

Facing a relentless attack and chasing balls all night, the sixth-seeded Bold were unable to complete the upset over the third-seeded Blues. The elimination marks the TMU’s third consecutive first-round playoff exit.

The scoring started just six minutes in, when third-year U of T forward Beatrice Audain cut inside down the right wing and sent a cross into the TMU box. The cross took a deflection that left it right at the feet of first-year midfielder Mikaela Milczarek. She shot it low to beat fourth-year Bold goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci, giving the Varsity Blues an early lead.

At the 29-minute mark, third-year TMU captain Natalie Moynihan earned a free kick around half-field. She curled a beautiful cross that met a header from second-year Bold striker Taylor Fazzari all alone near the back post. Fourth-year Varsity Blues goalkeeper Maria Godoy-Atrash was able to dive and corral the ball, however, denying TMU a prime opportunity.

U of T would maintain pressure throughout the rest of the half, but the Bold defence would not allow another goal come halftime. TMU regrouped, needing to find an equalizer to keep their season alive.

In the 52nd minute, Audain again received the ball down the right wing and drove into the box. This time she opted for a shot, which she slotted powerfully into the top-right corner to double the Varsity Blues’ lead, leaving TMU in desperate need of an answer.

Keeping the pressure on, U of T forced a corner five minutes later. Trying to clear the cross as it bounced around the box, first-year TMU defender Hannah Duncan kicked the ball into the Bold net instead. The own goal widened the deficit to three with 30 minutes left to play. 

Continuing their unrelenting attack, the Varsity Blues found a fourth goal in the 63rd minute. After receiving a through ball to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper, third-year forward Ines Delhomelle’s shot into the top right corner would effectively seal the victory for the Varsity Blues.

An 88th-minute goal from U of T first-year defender Jessie Rickards would cap off the Varsity Blues’ barrage of goals and end an unpleasant night for the Bold.

Despite the elimination, Yacou will remember crucial results, such as those against the Nipissing University Lakers on Sept. 5 and the Queen’s University Gaels on Sept. 13, for bringing the team into the playoffs even when that didn’t seem like a possibility. “There was a lot of great character in those moments,” Yacou said.

Looking towards next year, Yacou hopes the loss inspires offseason work and reflection that improves the team moving forward.

“I would hope they let it sit with them for a bit, and then realize how much work needs to be done in the offseason and come in with a different mindset,” said Yacou.