By Michael Leandro

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s soccer team took down the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks 2-0 at Downsview Park on Friday. 

Entering the match, the Bold led the Ontario University Athletics East standings with 19 points, while the Ridgebacks trailed with 17. TMU took all three points home, with goals from fourth-year forward Exosse Kadiebue and a long-range bullet from fifth-year defender Luca Porfiris, shot from his own half.

Kadiebue set the tone early. Receiving a through ball from second-year defender Hazim Kadib through the back line, he slotted it into the back of the net with ease, notching his fourth goal of the season in the match’s 22nd minute. 

A Ridgeback yellow card followed four minutes later as tensions rose. By halftime, the Bold overpowered their opponents, drawing five shots to Ontario Tech’s zero.

In the second half, the Bold matched the same relentless pressure they began with, but they became more disciplined with their defence. Fifth-year goalkeeper Dante Ferraro made a double save in the 60th minute, keeping the Bold in the game. After saving a low shot pummeling towards the bottom left corner, he grabbed onto the rebound to keep the lead in the Bold’s favour. 

With TMU finding itself in a lull as the game reached its conclusion, Porfiris’ late moment of brilliance in the 85th minute quickly flipped the momentum. Scoring a bullet well back from the TMU side, the ball sailed down the pitch and slipped past the fingers of the Ridgeback keeper. Celebrations erupted from the sidelines as the match ended shortly after in a mixture of disbelief and elation for the Bold.

The win keeps TMU atop the pile, now at 22 points and a 7-1-1 record. 

After a 2-2 draw against the Laurentian Voyageurs, the Bold’s nearest competitors, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, trail by four points.

UP NEXT: The Bold head back to Downsview Park tomorrow to face the Laurentian Voyageurs. Kick-off is set for 3:15 p.m.