By Daniel Carrero
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team lost 2-0 against the Nipissing Lakers in their final game of the regular season at Downsview Park on Sunday afternoon.
With this defeat, the Bold finish the regular season with a 7-4-1 record and finished fourth in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East division. They secured a first-round playoff game at home—a first for the program—on Saturday, but Sunday offered an opportunity to finish third and earn a program wins record.
With the win, Nipissing finished second in the league and secured the first-round buy-in. The Lakers proved to be a good challenge in preparation for the playoffs, which begin on Oct. 19.
“I wouldn’t say anything went wrong today, I would give credit to the opposition,” said interim head coach John Yacou. “They are in good standing in the league because of the type of team that they have.”
During the opening minutes of the first half, TMU seemed to control the game with quick turnarounds and their usual 4-2-3-1. However, the Lakers read their game and tactics with perfection and managed to control the game back in their favour.
In the 22nd minute, first-year Nipissing midfielder Hannah Neville was Nipissing’s first real threat after she shot a low-driven shot wide. From there, their game only grew bigger in threat.
It was in the 25th minute that the Lakers were able to turn control into goals. Fourth-year Nipissing midfielder Taylor Schell received the ball in the edge of the area and after accommodating the ball with a first touch, released a strong shot into the top right corner to put her team into the lead.
With this, TMU needed to react and change tactically. Yacou decided to bring in second-year midfielder Vanessa Pianta for first-year midfielder Isabella Langeli—who had a right-wing role up to that point. Pianta took over the second centre-back role and pushed fourth-year defender Emily Porteous to the right-back position. First-year defender Reilly Flesher moved further up the pitch and took a more attacking role as a right midfielder.
“We needed more pace out wide and we needed to block that diagonal ball that they were playing. We thought that [Porteous] does a better job with the ball over the top,” Yacou described.
For Porteous, it meant an opportunity to play all over the pitch.
“I haven’t played full back since my first year at TMU, so [that was] definitely interesting,” said Porteous. “Then getting put up at top for a little bit was exciting, it’s nice to know that you have a spot anywhere on the team.”
The Lakers continued to dominate the rest of the first half but the Bold succeeded in reorganizing themselves defensively. Both teams struggled to pose any threat and neither team had the momentum. This slow gameplay carried into the second half.
TMU attacking attempts relied on their wings. With various rotations during the match, Nipissing’s fullbacks, fifth-year defender Rylee Traicoff and fourth-year defender Alanna Delle Monache managed to outspeed and outstrength TMU’s attempts.
Later in the second half, TMU brought in first-year midfielder Lisamarie Arangio to take on a centralized attacking midfielder role and pick up some momentum for the Bold. With possession and solid link-up plays, the Bold pushed higher on the pitch. Nipissing used this to their advantage.
After being caught up in an attack in the 86th minute, Nipissing’s Delle Monache took advantage of a mispositioned Bold. She placed a strong cross into the box, enabling fourth-year Nipissing forward Cassidy Brooks to head the ball to make it 2-0 and seal the game.
“It comes down to finishing our chances, a little bit more successful at moments but we were in it the whole time,” said Porteous. “We could’ve won it.”
The Bold knew the game was done and gave playing time to first-year defender Gabrielle Solano, second-year defender Amanda Rankin and second-year midfielder Allison Brayman.
Both teams slowed down their game and let the time pass by. Despite the loss, the Bold can hold their chins up with pride after a successful season.
“We are obviously upset that the game didn’t go our way, but there is so much to look forward to,” said Porteous. “[In] our team chat we were saying how in the next few years, this can be an average thing. We can be that top-two team as we keep going as a program.”
The Bold are likely going to face the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues in the first round of the playoffs. With a tie and a win against the Blues, TMU will now regroup and prepare for the matchup.
“For playoffs, [this defeat] changes nothing. If we wanted to finish third we had to win this game, so this was like a bonus for us,” said Yacou. “Now it’s a new season with playoffs, so now we have to focus on U of T.”
UP NEXT: The TMU Bold will face the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the first round of the OUA playoffs on Oct. 19, at Downsview Park. Kick-off is set at 2 p.m.
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