TORONTO — Ameer Kinani's 90th minute penalty was the difference, as the TMU Bold men's soccer team fought off the Carleton Ravens in the OUA quarter-final with a 2-1 victory.

With stoppage time waiting in the wings and feeling almost inevitable — the Bold came through in the waning moments of the second half. The referee pointed to the spot and awarded TMU a penalty after a Brandon Barone header re-deflected off the arm of a Ravens defender.

From there, Kinani went low-left while the keeper dived low right, as he scored his seventh goal of the season — and without a doubt the biggest. 

"It was amazing — an amazing feeling," said Kinani, with files from Mitchell Fox, The Eyeopener.

A York Lions loss earlier in the day meant that, with a win, the Bold would play host to the OUA semifinal this coming Wednesday. They did just that, as the victory ensured TMU is now one win away from an OUA championship appearance — as well as a berth in the 2022 U SPORTS National Championship in Kamloops, B.C. 

"It was exciting, but we take one game at a time. Now we forget about this game today — and try to focus on next week's game. That's going to be a big game," said Kinani.

Thanks to being the number-two seed in the OUA East, TMU was able to sit back and await their eventual opponent, while Carleton had to defeat Queen's on Wednesday in order to punch their ticket to Downsview.

"I think that played a big role," said Bold head coach Filip Prostran, with files from Mitchell Fox, The Eyeopener. "We were fresh and rested, taking days off. They had to play Wednesday, the travel, no training, no day off. I think that was the difference really with the rest and our guys fighting and pressing."

Despite Kinani converting from the spot, Carleton Ravens goalkeeper Tyler David was able to stop a Justin Santos penalty in the opening half — a save that kept the scoreline nil-nil.

However, TMU struck early in the second half when Luca Di Marco got his side on the board. The Aurora, Ont. product made a dash down the right wing and got onto a nifty header from Kinani, and delivered a right-footed finish past David and into the back of the net.

However, in the 78'— the Ravens responded. Lucas Piccioli converted from the spot, as Carleton took advantage of a penalty called by the official away from the ball.

But ultimately it was Kinani, who rewarded Prostran with his decision to give the second-year the opportunity to send his side to the OUA semifinals.

"We could've fell apart in that moment," said Prostran. "The guys stayed locked in and moved on. That's the difference — just staying mentally strong."

TMU will play host to said semifinal on Wednesday night at Downsview Park — a match that will take place against Waterloo. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. 

"It's amazing because we get to play at home again and we get to have the fans out — I think that works in our favour. We have to take advantage of that," said Kinani. "Hopefully we can get an even bigger crowd next week and we can just book a flight to B.C."

"(Waterloo) rightfully are in the Final Four — they're a really good team. That's it. We'll have to be at our best to have a chance," said Prostran.

All the action can be seen on OUA.TV