NORTH BAY - The TMU women's soccer team fell 6-0 on Sunday afternoon to the Nipissing Lakers, leaving them with a 1-1-0 record after Labour Day weekend. The Bold came into the contest looking to start 2-0 before kicking off their home schedule next Saturday in Toronto.

Nipissing got the offence started early, with a goal at the five minute mark. TMU then settled in and weathered the early onslaught by the Lakers anchored by goalkeeper Abby Harrison. Harrison stopped six shots and kept the final score closer than it otherwise should have been as TMU struggled to maintain possession and keep the ball out of their half.

Eventually, Nipissing broke down TMU's defence and scored their second of the afternoon 18 minutes in and quickly followed with their third just four minutes after that. Nipissing continued the offensive pressure, with TMU unable to respond and generate offence in the attacking third of the field.

When the referee blew the whistle signaling halftime, TMU was down 5-0 behind goals in the 29th and 31st minutes which stretched out the Lakers lead as the teams went into the break.

Following a frenetic tempo in the first half, the pace slowed considerably in the second as Nipissing dominated possession in the early stages of the half. Their sixth and final goal of the afternoon came in the 57th minute allowing coaches to begin mass substitutions, giving more players an opportunity to get game action before the season ramps up.

After the sixth Nipissing goal, possession and momentum evened out with TMU playing aggressively on offence and defence. Nipissing by contrast was satisfied to maintain control of the ball and play conservatively with their insurmountable six-goal cushion. This allowed for some strong counter-attacking opportunities for the Bold, though they failed to capitalize on these chances.

The Bold will look to rebound from their performance next weekend, with a rematch against Nipissing serving as the home opener on Saturday, September 9 at 12 p.m. from Downsview Park.