TORONTO – Nearly two hundred metres away, a newly constructed concert venue stands in the middle of Downsview Park, aiming to become the latest marquee home for music lovers in the city. 

But even before the gates opened this past summer, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's soccer team had already forged their own fortress, with a presence just as daunting and impressive as the one that emanated from the neighbouring structure — at least for visiting teams. 

It was perhaps fitting that it wasn't TMU's opening act but their stoppage-time encore that helped solidify their reputation as an elite home side. 

The Bold were shut out for over 90 minutes until defender Noah Bickford scored on a rebound after a chaotic set piece, resulting in a 1-1 draw with the Queen's Gaels on Thursday night.

The tie improved the Bold's home record to 14-0-2 since the 2023 season. TMU also extended its undefeated streak in home openers to four games.

The game-tying goal was set up by a rare indirect free kick, the result of a high foot which spotted the ball just mere yards away from the Gaels' goal line. As unique a sequence as that was, Bold head coach Filip Prostran credited the preparation the team put in for the moment, despite his players not initially being convinced of the need for it. 

"They go 'this is never going to happen', because it's so unique. It'll happen maybe once if you ever play soccer," said Prostran. "But it's something we've rehearsed a few times." 

Things didn't always go according to plan for the Bold, who began the night as the No. 3 ranked team in U SPORTS. The Gaels' defence was mostly to blame. Queen's began the match with a 2-0 record and had yet to give up a non-penalty goal this season.

Second-year defender Kaostubh Bolla manufactured an early attack in his first start for TMU this season, displaying his agility as he navigated through Queen's defence before falling inside the 18-yard box. The ensuing no-call was the first of many that both teams wrestled with throughout the evening. 

While TMU controlled possession time and produced more quality chances, it was Gaels forward Jacob Ball who opened the scoring with a goal in the 11th minute, putting the Bold in an early hole.

There are immense expectations for the Bold this season, but for the second game in a row, they headed into the locker room at half trailing their opponent, and once again, they leaned on each other to get back on course.  

"Even though we were frustrated because we thought we deserved more, we stuck together as a team," said Bickford. "The message was 'don't get on each other' and the chances will come."

Despite Queen's defensive prowess, the Bold discovered additional ways to apply pressure. TMU recorded four shots on goal in the opening six minutes of the second-half but couldn't get one past Gaels goalkeeper Connor Adams. 

But even when the equalizer evaded them for most of the match, Prostran knew the scoreboard would eventually catch up to the effort his players were giving. 

"I get worried when we're not creating chances, not when we're not finishing them," said Prostran. "If you're not even creating opportunities, then there's a bigger issue." 

OUA Athlete of the Week Justin Santos, who scored a hat trick for the Bold in a 5-2 win over Trent Excalibur, had multiple opportunities in the box but ultimately couldn't find the back of the net. When Santos hit the ground hard at midfield in the 66th minute, he was surrounded by his teammates before being helped off the ground by Bold defender Nabil Hakim. 

Only time will tell if this particular moment foreshadows what lies ahead as opposing teams hone in on TMU's primary attackers, but against Queen's, it was the ancillary players who would be required to step up in the game's most dire moments. 

On this night, it was Bickford, who notched his first goal of the season.

"Everyone's going to get an opportunity and you have to make the most of it," said Bickford. 

The team will next embark on a stretch of four consecutive road games, beginning with a matchup against the Royal Military College Paladins on Sept. 7. Kickoff is slated for 3:15 p.m. ET.