By Francesco Cautillo

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team secured a 3-1 win against the Carleton University Ravens at Downsview Park on Sunday.

This result comes only a day after a 2-1 loss against the Royal Military College Paladins, which dropped them to eighth in the East division of the Ontario University Athletics standings.

The Bold aimed to refresh their mindset heading into this matchup, though, looking to #ThinkPink as they celebrated their annual breast cancer awareness game. To honour the campaign, TMU wore pink socks and training jerseys and  promoted donations through bracelet sales and baked goods, hoping to reach their donation goal of $5,000 .

With the starting whistle blown, the Ravens looked to establish possession, prioritizing ball control and passing over risking any quick chances. The Bold, on the other hand, focused on long balls and gaps in the Carleton defence. However, neither team’s strategy was effective after thirty-five minutes, and frustration was beginning to rise.

After forty minutes of possession exchanges, Carleton attempted a corner kick and a potentially dangerous opportunity from the set piece. After a long and high cross in, the ball bounced along the defence line before finding fourth-year Carleton midfielder Ava Mills, whose shot bounced past  fourth-year TMU goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci and into the net.

The Bold knew they needed a prompt response in order to keep themselves in the game and stop the Ravens from pulling away. TMU’s third-year midfielder Natalie Moynihan lurked at the edge of the opposition box, awaiting a loose ball to drive her way. After stepping up and hitting a clean shot, the ball flew past the glove of the goalkeeper and into the top right corner, securing the equalizer right before half-time.

In the second half, Carleton attempted to recreate their first goal, putting themselves in position for their effective and dangerous corner kicks.

TMU continued with the long-ball strategy and high press. In the 57th minute, they saw success when a deep pass was headed towards the Ravens keeper, but after a missed communication with the defender, the ball snuck out and onto the foot of first-year Bold defender Hannah Duncan, who slotted it into an open goal.

With TMU now leading 2-1, the onus was on fifth-ranked Carleton. But the Bold’s offence thrived, keeping the pressure on and forcing a third goal, after third-year defender Reilly Flesher finished a volley off a set piece to extend her team’s lead.

Now at the 75th minute mark, all that was left to do was shut down the Ravens’ attack and see out the final stretch of regulation time.

When the match was called, the Bold would redeem themselves following two consecutive losses, sealing the win 3-1 and capping off a great display on Think Pink day.

UP NEXT: TMU are set to host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Oct. 9 at Downsview Park, with kick-off scheduled for 1 p.m.