By Sebastian Zucchet
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team lost 1-0 against their crosstown rivals, the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues, in the first round of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
In the regular season, the Bold achieved a first-ever fourth-place finish in program history, while the Varsity Blues finished a place below in fifth. The Bold hosted a playoff game at Downsview Park for the first time in program history as well.
Interim head coach John Yacou reflected on the team’s positive season.
“I think we took a big step in the right direction, and I am excited to see what next year brings,” said Yacou.
In the second meeting in the regular season between the two downtown Toronto-based teams, the Bold held the upper hand, having beaten the Varsity Blues 2-1 on Sept. 6. The first-ever Bold women’s soccer victory at Varsity Stadium ensured the Bold finished ahead of U of T in the standings.
Today’s matchup carried more meaning for TMU but they couldn’t find that spark they possessed in the previous match.
“I think we did enough to at least get a goal, enough to get to penalty kicks,” said Yacou.
The first ten minutes of the game saw both sides even in possession until the Varsity Blues won the first corner of the game. First-year Varsity Blues midfielder Emilija Lucic whipped in a ball for a header that was cleared off the goal line by second-year defender Kennedy Pryce—who has been taking on a role at right wing this season.
An ensuing shot came from the Varsity Blues through traffic but second-year Bold goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci made a diving effort to keep it out.
The Bold felt comfortable welcoming the press from the Varsity Blues, maintaining an organized backline, a common tactic for TMU throughout the season.
In the 27th minute, Pryce used her blistering pace to breeze through the Varsity Blues midfield and laid the ball off to third-year forward Aalayah Lully, whose ensuing shot was saved. Lully provided the Bold’s first big opportunity of the all-or-nothing playoff game.
Just three minutes later, Pryce gained possession once more and put a looming cross into the box. The ball fell to the feet of first-year midfielder Mera Saleh, but she was unable to convert.
Yacou highlighted Pryce’s excellence in the match and the season.
“She’ll give you running, she’ll give you threatening the backline…she’s done everything she could and I’m extremely pleased with how she’s been this year,” he said.
The Varsity Blues dictated the rest of the half by continuing to press, but chances were limited due to the Bold’s rock-solid backline. The first half came to an end at 0-0, leaving all to play for in the second half.
The game was much more open in the last 45 minutes of play. The Bold passed the ball around the pitch trying to open up the Varsity Blues but the visitors refused to budge, sticking to their game plan of a high press. The best chance of the match came in the 52nd minute from the Varsity Blues when third-year forward Hannah Harkin smashed off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
In the 65th minute, a Varsity Blues player went down injured, which allowed for a break for both teams to regroup and find a way to break through.
Four minutes later, the Varsity Blues crossed a ball into the box and managed a touch to poke towards the goal but Paolucci came up with another save to keep the game level.
The Varsity Blues continued to apply pressure and were eventually awarded a free kick about thirty yards out in the 74th minute.
Fourth-year defender Hannah Chown stepped up and placed the ball into the corner of the net directly from the free kick to make it 1-0 for the Blues.
The Bold responded well with a chance at goal seconds after the restart from third-year defender Taliyah Walker. She found space for a shot from distance but it was saved by second-year Varsity Blues goalkeeper Maria Godoy-Atrash.
In the latter stages of the match, U of T continued to press and create chances while holding the Bold at bay. Paolucci continued to come up with saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0. Walker was close to leveling the score in the 88th minute but her shot was just above the crossbar.
After a few minutes of injury time, the referee eventually blew his whistle, signalling the end of the game and the end of the season for the Bold. The Varsity Blues came out on top 1-0 and will progress into the OUA quarter-finals where they will face the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Yacou reiterated how pleased he was with the team’s performance in the game and throughout the entire season.
“I’m extremely proud, like I honestly couldn’t ask for more. They were committed from the beginning, they gave everything, they fought in this game. You can’t ask for more, sometimes that’s what it takes, one goal,” said Yacou.
The Bold can be proud of an excellent and historic season, with the future looking bright for the program.
UP NEXT: The Bold looks to the off-season to maintain the level from this successful season.
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