By Francesco Cautillo

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team drew 1-1 in their final home game against the Laurentian Voyageurs at Downsview Park on Saturday.

With their final two regular season games on the road, the Bold celebrated their graduating seniors, such as fourth-year midfielder Becca Bartosh and long-time fourth-year goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci, highlighting their stats as they played their final game in front of the home faithful.

“They’ve been a massive part of this program the last four years they’ve been here,” said Bold head coach John Yacou on his senior players, adding that “they’ve established a good reputation around the league of being good leaders.”

Unfortunately for Paolucci, she received a red card in Friday’s loss to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, allowing a starting lineup opportunity to first-year goalkeeper Will Boorne. This marks Boorne’s first career start in goal for the Bold, as she relieved Paolucci for 42 minutes last match, saving four of the six shots she faced.

Boorne quickly warmed up despite the blistering winds at Downsview, as she challenged and stopped the opening spark of attack from the Voyageurs.

However, the Laurentian pressure persisted with a second wave in the 20th minute. After a cross into the box, Boorne stepped out to make the original punching stop, but was unable to clear the rebound shot of third-year midfielder Adriana Primerano, whose shot flew into the net for the one-nil Voyageurs lead.

Now down by a goal, the Bold struggled to find urgency in their response, eventually finding a sliver of promise as a cross slipped out the hands of the Voyageurs goalkeeper, but no Bold forwards were able to capitalize with the opening.

In the 40th minute the Voyageurs had a chance to double their lead, with another rebound bouncing inside the six yard line after Boorne’s initial save, however third-year Laurentian defender Kiana Levac overjudged the volley and skied the ball over the net.

As the teams headed to the locker rooms for half time, the Voyageurs held a narrow 1-0 lead, as TMU would need to pick up their intensity if they hoped to exit the match with a point.

Bartosh flung a long shot from outside the box, which forced a diving stop from the Voyageurs. This sudden pressure forced a red card from Laurentian, who were caught scrambling to regain possession which resulted in reckless tackles.

First-year forward Vanessa Salazar found the equalizer for TMU, charging in the chaos in front of goal and making no mistake to even up the scoreline at one.

Now approaching the 70th minute, possession was tossed around between the two sides, with the match becoming a rally of attacks with both teams hoping to find the go-ahead goal.

That opportunity came for the Bold after the ball toppled to the back post, where two attackers collided and knocked the ball behind for a Voyageurs goal kick.

Momentum took a full turnaround from the first half, with TMU now applying the pressure twicefold, playing with urgency and unsettling with the potential of a draw.

“Laurentian is a team that fights and gets in your face” said Yacou. “You have to be ready to play.”

Yellow cards were drawn throughout the final minutes as the frustration boiled up for both sides, with TMU looking to prioritize on the red card advantage, and Laurentian holding off the few remaining attacks.

The Voyageurs took one last attack, launching a shot which resulted in a diving stop by Boorne, who was eager to redeem herself and prove her adaptability.

“It was really good to get to play with this team that I’ve been with for so many months now,” said Boorne. “Everyone was super supportive of me and my nerves, and I think we just put in a really good shift despite the result.”

In the end, neither team was able to punch through to score, ending the match in a 1-1 draw in this year’s annual senior day.

UP NEXT: The Bold rematch the Voyageurs on Oct. 17 at Laurentian Field. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.