Veteran defender Diana Esteireiro set up two second-half goals but it wouldn’t be enough as the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision to the Carleton Ravens on Sunday, September 30 at Varsity Centre.

With the loss, the Blues drop to 5-3-2 and sit in fifth place, while the Ravens improve to 6-2-2 and hold onto sole possession of fourth in the OUA East division. 

The Ravens opened the scoring in the 12th minute as a long ball from Abby Nicastro went over Blues goalkeeper Sara Petrucci’s head and Sarah Royer was there to shoot it in.  Carleton went ahead again when Nicastro received a pass from Alexandria Druggett all alone in front of the net and shot it into the top right corner of the net. 

The visiting squad held a 2-0 lead at the half.

Rookie striker LaShaunna Harper finally got the Blues on the board in the 67th minute, heading an Esteireiro free kick past Ravens goalkeeper Rachel Bedek. 

The Ravens restored their two-goal advantage just three minutes later as Royer received a through ball and found herself on a breakaway. The Lethbridge, Alta., native fired the ball over a sprawling Petrucci to give the visiting squad the 3-1 lead.

The Blues battled back in the 72nd minute as Esteireiro sent a long through ball to veteran striker Jessica Fantozzi, who fired the ball over Bedek into the net.  Despite a few attempts, the Blues could not solve Bedek again and dropped their second game of the weekend. 

The Varsity Blues return to the field next Saturday, October 6 as they travel to Kingston, Ont., to take on the Queen’s Gaels. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.