NORTH BAY, Ont. — There's a prevailing notion within the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's soccer team that the regular season is merely a precursor to what awaits in the playoffs.

And no one would blame them for that sentiment, because they've earned it. 

TMU has qualified for the OUA post-season in each of its last seven seasons, including four semifinal appearances, one game in the finals, and a trip to the U SPORTS national championship.

But even with a laser focus on the ultimate prize, the Bold have always masterfully navigated through the grind of the regular season, even when it doesn't always result in three points.

And especially when the schedule puts them in a precarious position.

The Bold concluded their weekend trip up north with a 1-1 draw against the Nipissing Lakers on Sunday afternoon.

With the tie, the Bold are undefeated in their last 22 straight regular-season games on the second day of a back-to-back since 2017.  

Despite not securing the win, TMU head coach Filip Prostran believes his team understands that the endgame is what matters most. 

"It's all about the playoffs," said Prostran before his team embarked on a four-game stretch on the road. "We've ran through the league in years past and have gone undefeated, and then we face adversity in the playoffs, and it's a new experience for us."

The Bold (3-0-2) are thinking about the big picture, but it doesn't mean they're prioritizing the result over the process. 

"I told the guys when you're ranked so high nationally and have a good history of doing well, you're going to get every team's best game," said Prostran. 

Prostran's words foreshadowed Sunday's outcome, but to his team's credit, they answered the call early. 

TMU opened the scoring when forward Cyrus Rollocks outworked the defence for possession before sending the ball to the back of the net in the sixth minute. With four goals in the first five games of the season, Rollocks continues a sparkling beginning to his first year with the Bold. 

The immediate offensive production was also an encouraging sign for a team that had struggled with slow starts to begin the season. This marked TMU's third straight game with the opening goal.

The Bold produced additional quality chances throughout the first half, only to be thwarted by a scrappy Lakers backline. TMU's Luc Ihama and Brandon Verburg found each other on a pass back in the 18-yard box but were cleared away for a corner in the 39th minute. 

Three minutes later, Tadija Vukas fired one from the edge of the box but could only watch as Lakers goalkeeper Joshua Biswanger made a breathtaking diving save. 

TMU also flashed an impressive display of defence on the other side of the field. Their discipline countered Nipissing's numerous cross attempts from the left wing. 

But as disruptive as the Bold defence was, all it took was one mistake for the Lakers to capitalize. Nipissing forward Christiano Alagna spiralled the ball to the bottom left corner for the equalizer just before halftime. 

The second half conjured several close calls for both teams. Nipissing's best opportunity at an upset came 70 minutes into the game, when Kojo Mensah sent the ball piercing over the crossbar. 

Bold forward Justin Santos, who was previously turned away by Biswagner in the 53rd minute, got behind the defence at the end of the game before finally getting one past the Lakers goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it was called back for offside, preventing the Bold from authoring another last-minute win this season. 

"No matter the opponent, no matter the ranking or the standings, you've got to assume that you're bringing your highest standard as a team," said Prostran. 

That standard will face a fierce test in the Bold's next matchup in a bout against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sept. 19. Watch the contest live on OUA.tv.