TORONTO – The Ryerson Rams men's soccer team earned a victory in their season opener by defeating the Toronto Varsity Blues 1-0 on Saturday at the Varsity Centre.
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Rams midfielder Adam Hemati (Vaughan, Ont.) had the game's only goal as he fired home a rebound into the back of the net in the 77th minute to give Ryerson the victory.
“I visualized scoring here and I'm glad that when I made that run forward the ball fell nicely to me and that I could finish and help the team out,” said Hemati following the match.
Both squads had flashes of offensive chances but only five shots were registered on target throughout the contest as much of the play was in the middle third of the pitch.
Toronto's best chance came in the 14th minute when a free kick from about 20 yards out led to a shot off the cross bar which was followed by a header over the bar. Later in the first half Toronto's Nirun Sivananthan went for goal on a free kick and his shot was deflected just over the bar by Rams keeper Praveen Ahilan (Unionville, Ont.).
“Praveen is an outstanding keeper and to see him make that save definitely gives us the energy, that fight, to keep pressing,” said forward Luka Lee (Toronto) after the game.
First year Rams midfielder Jacob Bolton (Halifax, N.S.) had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 59th minute as he was able to find some space to create a short breakaway opportunity but Toronto keeper Rab Bruce-Lockhart was up to the task.
“I think we're fortunate to get away here with a win, I think the game probably deserved a draw,” said associate coach Filip Prostran following the game. “In the first third of the season we're trying people out, everyone is getting some time…and feeling like they're a part of it. That's really the most important thing at this point.”
Ryerson is the only team in the OUA east division to earn a victory on opening day so they sit alone in first place in the early goings of the season. The Rams are back on the pitch on Saturday, September 5 when they take on the RMC Paladins in Kingston.
