The No. 1 University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s soccer team defeated the Western Mustangs 3-2 (5-4 penalty kicks) in OUA semi-final action on Saturday, November 7 at Varsity Centre.

With the win, the Blues advance to the OUA gold-medal match versus the McMaster Marauders tomorrow and earn a trip to Langley, B.C. for the 2009 CIS men’s soccer championship (Nov. 12-15) hosted by Trinity Western.

OUA leading scorer Nordo Gooden (Kingston, Jam.) and second-year goalkeeper John Smits (Mississauga, Ont.) came up big for the Blues. Gooden scored two goals and added one in penalty kicks, while Smits made two crucial saves to secure the 5-4 shootout victory for Toronto.

The Blues looked dominant early in the contest and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. After Gooden received a beautiful pass from Geoffrey Borgmann (Dixie, Ont.), the fourth-year striker one-timed the ball into the right corner of the net to put the Blues up 1-0.

However, Western defender Ian Meagher would shock the home crowd, evening the game at 1-1 just five minutes later. The Mississauga, Ont. native found the ball just inside the top of the penalty box and launched a shot into the bottom left corner past Smits.

Minutes before the half time whistle, Dylan Bams of Fanny Bay B.C created a turnover and made a great individual play to find some open space in the penalty area. He was stopped on a well-timed challenge by Western goalkeeper Andrew Murdoch (Burlington, Ont.)

U of T nearly took the lead back in the 58th minute, as Bams continued his skilful work. He found Gooden with a wonderful overhead cross, who headed the ball towards the low left corner. Murdoch came up big again, making an excellent diving stop as he tipped the ball out of bounds, keeping the game level at 1-1.

Mark Pocrnic (London, Ont.) came close to putting the Mustangs ahead in the 70th minute, as he got his head to a cross close to goal. Smits had to remain solid, making a difficult catching stop and allowing no rebounds on the play.

The Mustangs maintained pressure on the top-seeded Blues and Ryan Avola (London, Ont.) found some space down the right side. He was able to get a shot away that was well controlled by Smits.

Toronto forward Gabe Gala (Brampton, Ont.) then received a pass behind the Mustang defence that sent him in alone on goal. Murdoch was brilliant once again, coming off his line and robbing Gala of a sure goal.

Neither team would find the goal before the full time whistle and the game would continue into overtime.

The first overtime period was dominated by the Varsity Blues, who seemed to raise their energy levels, beating the Mustangs to many free balls and winning a couple of corner kicks.

However, Western would be awarded a free kick in a dangerous place, just outside the penalty box. Eric Amato (Toronto) sent a low, curving drive that found its way safely into the hands of Smits once again.

The Blues answered with a chance of their own as Darragh McGee (Donegal, Ire.) launched a shot in close that nailed the side mesh, grazing the outside of the right post.

With only two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Gooden tallied his second goal of the match. The OUA leading scorer got to a loose ball that deflected off of a Mustang defender and calmly placed it past a sprawling Murdoch to put the Blues up 2-1.

Gooden nearly completed a hat trick in the second overtime period, as he was robbed by Murdoch, who then recovered to deny Michael Prouse (Scarborough, Ont.), giving his team a chance to even the contest.

His saves would prove crucial, as the Mustangs would win a corner with only five minutes remaining. After the cross was sent in, a scramble play ensued in front of the goal. The ball found its way to Michael Sawchuk (London, Ont.), who made no mistake, tying the game at 2-2 in the dying minutes of overtime and forcing penalty kicks for the second time of the day.

The Mustangs would capitalize on their first four penalty kicks, while the Blues could only connect on three-of-four.

With U of T down a score, Mario Nallira stepped up as the fifth kicker. The Toronto native sent a bullet into the top left corner, leaving Murdoch with no chance to attempt a save on the play.

Smits then stepped up, making the save of his life as he robbed Mark Pocrnic (London,Ont.) of a sure goal, sending the game into sudden death penalty kicks.

Borgmann scored for the Blues and Smits came up big once again, denying Michael Marcoccia (London, Ont.) to send his squad into the OUA gold-medal game tomorrow afternoon.

In the first semifinal of the day, the McMaster Marauders upset the Carleton Ravens, outscoring them 3-1 in penalty kicks to secure a 1-0 victory.

Carleton and Western will square-off in the bronze-medal match tomorrow (Nov. 8) at 11:30 a.m. The gold medal game will follow when the No. 1 Varsity Blues take on the McMaster Marauders, scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.

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