By Noah Curitti

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team secured a win against the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks with a final score of 3-2 at Downsview Park on Oct. 6. 

The Bold, who were celebrating senior night, had even more to celebrate as their victory marked them clinching the sixth seed in the Ontario University Athletics playoffs. It is the second straight year the Bold achieved this feat. 

The match started slowly, with both teams prioritizing their defence. It was the Ridgebacks who began the offensive push first, gaining three consecutive corner kicks. Nothing would come out of these chances except some good goalkeeping by third-year goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci. 

TMU would eventually find their offensive spark as they had some chances but nothing came out of them. Their best chance in the opening 25 minutes of play came from a cross that set up third-year forward Journey Lashley, but her shot went wide. 

Shortly after this, TMU suffered a big blow as fourth-year forward Taliyah Walker went down with an apparent leg injury. She was out for the remainder of the first half.

Ontario Tech also suffered a blow as second-year defender Abbie Russell was sent off with a red card, which put the Ridgebacks down to ten players. She conceded the first yellow card earlier in the game and later conceded a second, forcing her to leave the game. 

The Ridgebacks could not catch a break as in the 35th minute, they conceded a penalty kick which was converted by first-year forward Taylor Fazzari, marking her seventh goal of the season to give TMU the 1-0 lead. 

TMU, who were controlling possession and passing well, while continuing to pile on pressure since Russell’s red card, looked to be heading into the break with the 1-0 lead until disaster struck. A routine save by Paolucci from a weak shot slipped out of her hands and into the back of the net. 

First-year midfielder Tienna Martins was credited with the goal and the match was tied at 1-1 going into halftime. 

TMU came out firing to start the second, with a great chance that rattled off the crossbar after first-year Ridgeback goalkeeper Jacqueline Cardy got a fingertip on it. Minutes later, first-year forward Telaijah Folkes followed that up with a strong solo run but Cardy came up with another big save. 

Sensing the urgency of their season, Ontario Tech pressed hard despite being down a player, creating multiple dangerous opportunities. The Bold continued to press as well, trying to take the lead. 

Fourth-year forward Aalayah Lully was called offside after a great through ball from third-year defender Amanda Rankin.  Frustrated by the call, Lully fired the ball away after the whistle, earning herself a yellow card.

Ontario Tech continued to threaten TMU through first-year forward Vanessa Domina but TMU’s defence held firm, even as the pressure started to mount. TMU were defending extremely well but were desperate to find a goal soon. 

Then came the breakthrough. Walker, returning from injury, found space and curled a shot into the bottom left corner to give TMU a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.

Moments later, Folkes nearly added another with a brilliant move past her defender, but her shot drifted just wide. 

Lully came close again in the 75th minute—her header smashing off the crossbar as TMU continued to press.

TMU’s persistence paid off as Folkes capitalized on a perfect pass from second-year defender Anna Ciumaciova, cutting back and firing into the top right corner to make it 3-1.

Ontario Tech answered back in the 84th minute, as second-year forward Samantha Russell slotted the ball around Paolucci and into the empty net to make it 3-2. Paolucci was out of her net and it cost her.

The Ridgebacks pushed hard for the equalizer as TMU’s defence began to show cracks in the closing minutes but TMU held firm until the final whistle, avoiding any late drama, securing a 3-2 victory and officially clinching their spot in the playoffs.

UP NEXT: The Bold will conclude their regular season against the Carleton University Ravens on Oct. 10 in Ottawa. Kick-off is at 6:00 p.m.