TMU Athletics & Recreation

TORONTO — Opening a four-game stretch at home, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's soccer team lost 2-1 against the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins on Saturday.

As play began, the ball remained in the midfield, with both teams fighting for possession. RMC would take control and rush to TMU's half, but they were no match for defender Reilly Flesher, who made a great boot to get the ball back to the midfield. 

The momentum then flipped to the Bold, who took off and headed down towards the Paladins' netminder. Despite some great attempts, none could find the back of the net. Continuing to trade possession, it was RMC's turn to head into TMU territory. Goalkeeper Elisa Paolucci made a great stop, deflecting the ball away from the net. Unfortunately, the ball swerved right to the foot of a Paladin, who buried it to make it 1-0.

Returning to midfield, it was time for TMU to increase its presence on RMC's side of the field. Defender Vanessa Pianta made a great kick to keep things on the Paladins' side, but the ball would eventually sail out of play. 

A tremendous factor for both teams today was the wind. Throughout the game, the wind gusted up to 20km/h, significantly affecting the ball's direction.

In the 45th minute, Pianta went down after colliding with an RMC player. The fourth-year player was down for a few minutes, and when she got up, chaos unfolded. Both Bold and Paladin players crowded around, and amidst the yelling, Pianta was shown a yellow card. 

On a penalty kick, RMC's Angelica Labelle buried the ball into the net, doubling the score to 2-0. 

TMU opened up the second half by drawing several corner kicks. Although none could find the back of the net, the Bold did a great job of continuing to pressure the Paladins even when the chips were down.

Flesher got a little too physical for the referee's liking in the 69th minute and was shown a yellow card. As RMC took a free kick, a Bold defender jumped up and headbutted the ball off course, directing it away from the net. The defenders continued to stave off the Paladins, eventually moving play back into midfield. 

Not even 10 minutes later, the Bold squeaked past RMC, who was trying to park the bus. As defenders, midfielders and strikers alike rushed down the field, defender Gloria Lucas kicked the ball up to midfielder Mera Saleh, who headed the ball past the mayhem and right into the net.

Some late drama in the 89th minute saw midfielder Natalie Moynihan receive a yellow card for arguing a penalty that was not called against RMC. Although a free kick for the Paladins was given, Paolucci made an easy save. The two minutes of extra time for the Bold were not enough for them to even the score.

With the loss, TMU snapped its 15-game winning streak against RMC. The Bold had previously won every match played against RMC since 2014.

Next up, TMU faces the Carleton Ravens on Sept. 4 in its annual "Think Pink" game, where the team hopes to raise $5,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. There will be T-shirts, pins, bracelets and baked goods for sale, with all proceeds going towards their fundraising efforts. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m., and students can attend for free at Downsview Park.