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TMU Athletics & Recreation

THE OFFICIAL HOME OF TMU Bold
THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE TMU Bold HOME OF THE TMU Bold
A TMU player strikes the ball for a goal between two RMC players.
Photo by Josh Kim
0
RMC RMC ()
15
Winner Toronto Metropolitan TMU ()
RMC RMC
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0
Final
15
Toronto Metropolitan TMU
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Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
RMC RMC 0 0 0
Toronto Metropolitan TMU 5 10 15

Game Recap: Soccer (M) | | Matt Johnson

Abdi, Fafinski combine for eight goals, Bold blow past Paladins

TORONTO — The TMU Bold dominated from start to finish on Saturday afternoon as they recorded a 15-0 win over the visiting RMC Paladins at Downsview Park.

Seven different Bold players found the back of the net, including Sean Fafinski and Zakaria Abdi, who scored five and three goals, respectively.

Coming into the day, Fafinski's single-season career-high in goals was three. His five on the afternoon made it six on the year for the fifth-year midfielder, helping establish a new personal best while also helping him register his first hat trick with the program.
 
"It was nice to get some confidence and get some goals in," said Fafinski. "I think this is the most I've scored in either my club career and university career."

"Sean — especially from free kicks — is a really special player. He's a great kid. He's been an amazing player and ambassador for our program. So yeah, it's really nice to see him just showcase his talents, get on the scoresheet and have a really nice moment. He was the captain today as well, so extra special," said Bold head coach Filip Prostran.

Azaan Sayed, Ameer Kinani and Karamvir Mehmi had strong offensive afternoons alongside the likes of Fafinski and Abdi, with the pair of attacking players registering braces. Justin Santos' lone tally of the match was a beauty — a curling delivery from a corner kick that found the back of the net.
 
The game also provided Prostran the opportunity to infuse some youth into his lineup, including Arden Lee and Jaden Yearwood who each made their Bold debuts this afternoon. 

"I thought the guys came in, got the job done early in the first half and a lot of guys that haven't been playing a lot this season got some minutes to sort of ask coach for some more time," said Fafinski.

"Everybody did well today. We have a couple of guys that could start for most teams in the country and we're lucky to have them coming off the bench for the bigger games as well. Everyone has a role on this team," said Fafinski.

The win improved the Bold's record against the Paladins to 19-0 all-time, after what was the biggest margin of victory in the history of the matchup between the two programs.

"Every game you have to take seriously. You have to respect every opponent. We have a lot of respect for their program, their coaches and, obviously, what their student athletes stand for at their school," said Prostran.

"It can be a difficult one to play sometimes in terms of engagement and your habits — that kind of stuff — but I thought our guys took care of what we needed to take care of."

Despite dropping matches to Ontario Tech and Carleton earlier in the season, the Bold have nine points and a 3-2-0 record to their name — trailing the Nipissing Lakers and Toronto Varsity Blues by only three points.

"Untraditionally, we're off to a bit of a slow start this year. But we've had undefeated seasons and seasons where we've only lost one game and it hasn't served us well in the playoffs because we've finally faced adversity towards the end of the season. This year, it's been nice to have some of the lumps along the road," said Prostran.

The Bold will conclude the two-game homestead at Downsview Park tomorrow afternoon against the Queen's Gaels in what is the first of two matches between the two programs this season. Kick off is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.

"Traditionally we've done well against Queen's, but it's always like a one goal game or a tough game where there's one moment here or there — so I'm expecting another tight one tomorrow," said Prostran, when asked about the Gaels, who sit just three points back of the Bold in the East Division.

"Queen's is always a tough matchup," said Fafinski." "In the past, in my four or five years, it's always been difficult. I've had some close games against them. They're a very good team. Technically they're very good and physically they're very good. We know home and away is a tough match. It's going to be a tough game, but we know we have to get the job done tomorrow."

"Technically, very good and physically. Very good. As we know, pulling the wagons Queen's is a tough match. It's a tough game. But we know we have to get the job done tomorrow, for sure."
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