By Natasha Pinto
After a difficult 2023 season, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team is welcoming a new year of competition and many fresh faces during their pursuit toward the top of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) table.
The team opened last year with a 2-1 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs. Fourth-year utility player Taliyah Walker scored both goals while goalkeeper Abby Harrison had six saves. It was a positive sign for the season to come but proved to be short-lived.
“It is a great group of girls and you can see the potential the team has”
This win was followed by three straight losses with a combined score of 16-3 and ultimately a 3-7-2 record for the season. A tie against the Trent Excalibur on Seniors Night confirmed that the Bold would miss the playoffs.
Walker said the 2023 season didn’t go as well as the squad hoped but they regrouped in the off-season and “put a lot of work in over the spring and summer.” They hope to push for a playoff spot, make it past the first round onto the second and then continue on to nationals.
“We know that it’s gonna be a tough battle, but we’re up to the fight,” Walker said.
Having 12 players graduate in addition to six other departures meant the team needed to bring in several new names. 10 new signings were announced over the summer and four more names have appeared on the team’s roster on the TMU Bold website since.
Emily Porteous, a fourth-year defender who last played for the Bold in 2021, also returned to the team and will continue to play this season.
While the majority of the new signings are listed as midfielders or defenders, Walker said one of the team’s biggest focuses for this season is their goal-scoring and finishing.
Walker and notable departure Ivymae Perez each led the team with four goals last year while the team totaled just 14. New players and a rise in scoring depth will be the key to raising that number.
“The recruits are very talented players and there’s a lot to look forward to with this upcoming season,” Walker noted.
First-year defender Reilly Flesher is excited about the opportunity at hand and is ready to prove herself as an important part of the team this season.
“Once I met the team and Coach [Natalie] it sealed the deal because it is a great group of girls and you can see the potential that the team has,” Flesher said.
Crafting their technique and cohesiveness over the summer—along with building trust on and off the field—has helped solidify how they play. Many members of the team played for Scrosoppi FC, a League1 Ontario team managed by Bold assistant coach John Yacou, over the summer.
“We have all been in contact throughout the summer. A lot of our team played on the same summer team and that helped us get to know [the recently signed players],” Walker said. “It gives us a bit of an edge against our opponents because we’re coming in knowing each other’s playing styles.”
Entering her last year on the team, Walker said she also wants to enjoy the time she has left playing. It’s her hope to see the doors open for this program as there are many other talented female soccer players across Canada.
“Coach [Yacou] has his eyes set on nationals”
Though moving further into the playoffs than last year is the primary aim for the squad this year, they also hope to enjoy their time as a team, see fans at games showing their support and work with the encouragement from the coaches to make it a memorable season.
“I think we are going to do well this year, we have the work ethic,” said Flesher. “Coach [Yacou] has his eyes set on nationals.”
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