The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s soccer team played to a 0-0 tie with the No. 9 Carleton Ravens on Saturday, September 19 at Varsity Centre.

The Varsity Blues wasted no time in the early going, pressuring the Ravens from the opening whistle of the match. Toronto earned five corner kicks within the first 10 minutes of play, but could not convert on any.

Carleton held defensively and then pushed back, coming up with a chance themselves. Samuel McHugh’s (Russell, Ont.) free kick from only a few yards just outside the penalty area was tipped wide by Toronto goaltender John Smits (Mississauga, Ont.).

In the 33 minute, Yannis Gianniotis (Toronto, Ont.) received a cross inside the penalty spot with only the goalie to beat, however, he was unable to get a clean shot away and Ravens goalie Samuel Hincks (Guelph, Ont.) made the save to keep the game scoreless.

The Blues kept the pressure on and only minutes later had a dangerous cross inside the box re-directed just wide of the net by forward Michael Prouse (Scarborough, Ont.) as neither team could find the goal before the half time whistle blew.

Disaster almost struck early in the second half as miscommunication between Scott Nesbitt and goaltender Smits nearly resulted in an own goal for the Scarborough native. Smits, however, was able to scramble back and keep the ball from crossing the goal line.

The Blues bounced right back but again failed to connect when they caught Hincks off his line after some good passing.

In the 51st minute, Toronto created yet another great opportunity to get on the board when Alex Raphael (East York, Ont.) picked up a loose ball off another free kick and shot for the low left corner. Hincks came up with an outstanding diving stop, pushing the ball out for a corner kick which the Blues could not convert.

Carleton began to pressure once again, earning a free kick and several corners. Then, a great run down the left side by McHugh forced a Toronto foul just outside the penalty area in the 72 minute. The free kick was shot right at Smits, who did well to smother the ball not allowing any rebounds.

Toronto’s Raphael had yet another chance in the 81 minute when Nordo Gooden (Kingston, Jam.) sent a beautiful cross in from the right side of the penalty area. With an open net, Raphael could not control the bouncing ball and sent his shot wide of the goal.

With less than five minutes left in the game, Gooden’s relentless hustle forced a frustrated Carleton defender to take him down inside the penalty area. On the ensuing penalty kick, Vlejko Lukovic stepped in for the Blues and sent the ball over the cross bar, squandering a glorious opportunity.

A few minutes later, the referee’s final whistle blew and the game would end 0-0.

The Varsity Blues next home game takes place on Wednesday, October 7 when Toronto hosts the Ryerson Rams at Varsity Centre. Game time is scheduled for 9:00 p.m