By Noah Curitti

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team sustained their third loss of the season against the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins, falling 2-1 at Downsview Park on Saturday. 

After a 5-0 setback in their last match against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, TMU couldn’t find their form. 

Prior to the match, the Paladins, who had dropped 16 straight games since Oct. 2014, claimed their first win in the head-to-head’s recorded history.

The defeat comes at a decisive time in the season, as TMU are in the midst of securing an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoff spot. 

In the first 15 minutes, TMU dominated possession and created chances, but RMC defended well. 

The Paladins made good use of their limited opportunities as fourth-year defender Olivia Milton opened the scoring for the visitors, capitalizing on a Bold backline miscommunication.  

TMU had chances to equalize through efforts from fourth-year defender Amanda Rankin and fourth-year midfielder Rebecca Bartosh, but nothing came of it. 

Things became complicated for TMU as they conceded a penalty kick after a foul by first-year defender Hannah Duncan. The Paladins’ third-year midfielder Angelica Labelle then responded, finding the back of the net to give RMC a 2-0 lead. 

TMU had a few opportunities in the dying minutes of the half, but they couldn’t find a way through. After 45 minutes, the Bold returned to the locker room down two-nil.

As the players returned to the pitch, both teams struggled to keep possession and few chances emerged.

As the match progressed, the Bold played with more urgency, pressing higher and finding space, but the Paladins diffused any shots that came their way. 

TMU finally found a goal in the 76th minute when third-year midfielder Mera Saleh headed one in, set up by first-year defender Gloria Lucas. Suddenly, the Bold’s offence was alive and one goal away from tying the match.

With 10 minutes left, TMU pushed back hard but RMC remained strong and kept the door shut. 

As the whistle blew, the Paladins logged a historic first victory against TMU after 12 years.

The result leaves the Bold at 2-3-2 as they drop to seventh in the OUA Eastern Conference. 

UP NEXT: TMU will look to get back in the win column as they host the Carleton University Ravens at Downsview Park on Oct. 4. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.