The University of Toronto Varsity Blues soccer teams defeated the Ryerson Rams on Wednesday, October 8 at Varsity Centre. The women came away with a 5-0 victory while Mario Nallira (Etobicoke, Ont.) was the hero for the men in a thrilling 1-0 win.

The No. 6 Toronto women started off strong, as second-year defender Nav Deol (Mississauga, Ont.) deked out Ryerson goalkeeper Misha Maric (Toronto, Ont.) to put the Blues up by one in the fourth minute of the game.

Mississauga native Laura Machado continued the offensive press as she hammered a free kick into the top corner just 12 minutes later to give the Blues a 2-0 at the half.

Toronto maintained control of the play throughout the rest of the game. First-year striker Juliana Bergin (Barrie, Ont.) escaped her defender with a nifty move to send the Blues third goal into the far corner of the net.

Melanie Seabra (Brampton, Ont.) joined the rush and scored one of her own before Jennifer Siu (London, Ont.) tallied the final goal of the game off a slick one-touch passing play as Toronto came away with the 5-0 win.

Fourth-year veteran Mary Anne Barnes (Scarborough, Ont.) controlled every shot that came her way and earned the shutout for the Blues.

On the men’s side, both teams recorded numerous chances but defence prevailed as things would remained scoreless at the midway point of the match.

The No. 6 Blues showed their hunger in the second half that produced some stellar scoring opportunities. Their efforts seemed all-for-not until third-year midfielder Nallira found himself wide open 30 yards out and sent a booming shot past Rams netminder Robert Paolozzi (Toronto, Ont.) in the 87th minute.

Toronto goalkeeper John Smits (Mississauga, Ont.) recorded some key saves for his squad, earning the shutout in the 1-0 victory.

The Varsity Blues men’s soccer team returns to Varsity Centre for their last home game of the season on Friday, October 10 when they take on the Queen’s Gaels at 6 p.m.

The women host two important matches against the No. 4 Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday and the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday. Saturday’s match begins at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s is scheduled for 1 p.m.Saturday and the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday. Saturday’s match begins at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s is scheduled for 1 p.m.