The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s soccer team soundly defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs by a count of 4-0 in their OUA quarter-final match-up at Varsity Centre on Saturday, October 31.

The contest was fast-paced and physical from the opening whistle as both sides looked to score the first goal. Toronto got an excellent opportunity in the 32nd minute when forward Alex Raphael (East York, Ont.) sent a low hard shot on goal that was stopped by Laurentian keeper Scott Cliff. Nordo Gooden (Kingston, Jamaica.) jumped on the rebound only to send it sailing over the cross bar, missing a wide open goal.

Gooden would make up for his earlier miss, as he received a pass from Yannis Gianniotis (Toronto) with only the goalie to beat. He placed a low hard shot in the left corner to put the Blues up 1-0.

John Smits then made an incredible save just before half time, diving to his left to tip a ball headed for the top corner, to protect the Blues one-goal lead.

The second half belonged to the Varsity Blues, who set the tone with an early goal. Gabe Gala (Brampton, Ont.) was able to get his foot on a wonderful through ball, tipping the ball past Cliff (Hamner, Ont.) and into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Gooden, who terrorized the Voyageurs’ defence all night, had a rebound off one of his shots find its way to Geoffrey Borgmann, who made no mistake and slid the ball into an empty net to put the Blues up 3-0.

With the game well in hand, Borgmann (Dixie, Ont.) would strike again. After a wonderful cross by Darragh McGee (Donegal, Ireland.) was sent in front of goal, Borgmann headed the free ball into the back of the net to put the game out of reach.

With the victory, the No. 4 Varsity Blues will host the 2009 OUA final four next weekend (Nov. 7-8) at Varsity Centre. 

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.