TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's soccer team cruised toa 3-0 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs on Saturday afternoon, pleasing the crowd during the team's Think Pink Game for breast cancer awareness month.

The Bold were coming off of three straight matches without a win. With the playoffs in less than two weeks, emerging victorious was crucial for the team's standings in the OUA's Eastern Conference. 

In the six days since their last matchup, the team put in some serious work during training to prepare themselves.

"This week, we focused a lot on being patient with the ball, knowing that the opposition would give us a little time to play," explained Bold Head Coach John Yacou.

With the postseason in mind, TMU used what they learned in practice to hold their foot on the throttle for all 90 minutes of the matchup. 

Keeping the Voyageurs on the ropes, the Bold maintained offensive pressure throughout the first half. The intensity led to multiple open chances at the net, including one from forward Aalayah Lully that sailed just high.

It was Lully with another scoring opportunity around the 25-minute mark, as her teammate Natalie Moynihan squeezed the ball through multiple Voyageurs defenders for a look that barely missed. 

The Bold finally found the back of the net in the 33rd minute, as forward Taylor Fazzari finished a flawless pass along the baseline from fellow freshman Telaijah Folkes. 

The first-year duo of Fazzari and Folkes have been on fire in their short time at TMU so far, notching and goals respectively on the season. Their offensive pressure has consistently broken down defences, and is sure to entertain Bold fans for years to come.

In the extra minutes before the end of the first half, TMU notched another goal. Forward Taliyah Walker pushed downfield and launched a missile from beyond the box, stunning the Voyageurs to give her team a 2-0 lead.

"I was really pleased that we scored that second goal late in the first half…that makes things a lot easier than going into halftime up just one," said Yacou.

It continued to be all TMU in the second half, with the team firing on all cylinders to keep the ball on offence and squeeze the life out of the Voyageurs. 

When Laurentian did manage to break through and apply some pressure of their own, the Bold's defence applied the  clamps and prevented any clear opportunities. Goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci made some stellar plays in the box, ensuring no ball snuck into the net.

The Bold turned that defence into offence late in the match, as Lully barrelled down the field for a left-footed kick that soared into the net.

The goal, which put the Bold up 3-0, was a testament to the offensive pressure that Lully had provided all game. The fourth-year is currently tied for fourthe in program history l with 10 career goals.

Holding a large lead late in the game, the Bold decided to substitute first-year n goalkeeper Kyra Pettibone into the game for just the second time this season. She immediately impressed, diving to the ground to prevent an open Voyageurs chance. The play was met with encouraging cheers from both her teammates and Yacou.

"In the last two weeks, she's been excellent in training," praised Yacou when asked about Pettibone's performance, "she's been very positive, she's done everything that needs to be done as a second keeper, and I'm glad she was able to get in today."

Pettibone would close out the game as TMU cruised into a 3-0 victory. The win, their first in three games, improves their record  to 4-4-2 on the season.

"I'm happy we're back in the winning column," said Yacou, "the girls have earned it because they put a lot of work in during the week. They've been good all season, and they take messages really well, so I'm glad the reward [for the hard work] is three points.

With two games to go in the regular season, they sit at sixth place in the OUA's Eastern Conference.

The Bold play at home again on Oct. 6 against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Downsview Park. The Bold will recognize their seniors for Senior Night. Admission is free.