TORONTO — No single championship team is ever the exact carbon copy of another. Some rosters etch their names in history because of a dynamic offence or with a menacing defence. Other teams get there using a mix of sheer will, destiny, and a little bit of luck. 

But there is a common thread in the anatomy of a contender. 

It often appears in the middle of a taxing season as the weather begins to turn. Students are settling into their routines as the first wave of assignments is submitted and midterms start to loom. 

It's at this point that contenders may run into a spirited but struggling opponent. It's not typically wise to overlook teams in the OUA, but it occasionally happens. 

Losing in these trap games is a red flag in the pursuit of a championship. But taking care of business in these matchups gives contenders the right to continue their fight for the top of the table. 

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's soccer team displayed their contender DNA by defeating the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. 

With the win, TMU improved to 16-0-2 at home since 2023.

The Bold (5-1-2) opened the action when forward Justin Santos scored on a header in the 26th minute. It was Santos' fourth goal of the season and his first since scoring a hat-trick in the season opener against the Trent Excalibur on Aug. 31. 

In addition to a team staple like Santos, TMU also relied on its depth, another element of the team's genetic makeup that head coach Filip Prostran weaponized when he decided to start seven players who either came off the bench or didn't play in the prior match.

"The strength of this team is in its depth," said Prostran. "I know I can go into our bench and play anyone." 

In his third start of the season, second-year midfielder Nico Barros recorded his first assist of the year after a series of nifty moves to elude his defender before looping a timely cross for the Santos goal. 

A pair of rookies teamed up when midfielder Jamie Benayon-Abraham fired a low pass through the Paladins' defence and found Brandon Verburg to extend TMU's lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute. It was Benayon-Abraham's second assist of the season and Verburg's second goal.  

Their standout chemistry during the sequence didn't shock anyone on the team.

"The biggest thing I've noticed from the recruiting class is how seamlessly they get along with everyone," said Prostran. "It feels like they've known each other for three or four years." 

"Their transition into acclimating was really seamless," said Prostran. 

TMU's momentum carried into the second period, and was best highlighted by their execution during a free-kick set piece in the 60th. Midfielder Michael Campoli lobbed a perfect ball to teammate Serhii Khoma, whose superb header floated over the RMC keeper to push TMU's lead to 3-0. 

According to Prostran, Khoma's moment in the spotlight was one of the best ways the game could have ended. 

"Always has the best attitude, best grades, just amazing for the culture, I'm really happy he played well today," said Prostran. 

The Paladins dropped to 0-8 and have yet to find the back of the net this season.

The Bold continue their homestand with a match against the Nipissing Lakers on Sept. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at Downsview Park.