The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's soccer teams begin their final three-game home stand this Saturday, October 17 as they welcome the Laurentian Voyageurs to Varsity Centre.

The Blues also host the Nipissing Lakers on Sunday, October 18. Both women's games are scheduled for 12 p.m., with the men to follow at 2:15 p.m. Sunday's match-ups will be streamed live on OUA.tv.

With only two weekends remaining in the OUA regular season, the Varsity Blues men's team continues to set themselves up as a serious contender in the OUA East division. Currently sitting second with an 8-3-1 record, U of T remains the No. 10 ranked team in the CIS.

Toronto's strong team play lends itself in large part to the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Rab Bruce-Lockhart. Bruce Lockhart currently ranks tied for first in the OUA in goals against, allowing just eight in 10 games played. The all-star calibre season also sees him tied for sixth in the entire country with five clean sheets.

On the offensive end, striker Nirun Sivananthan leads the team with six goals, three of which have been game-winners, putting him at the top of the OUA rankings. Sivananthan has proven to be a reliable force up front, starting all 12 games, and will be relied on once again in the big doubleheader weekend.

Currently sitting sixth in the OUA East division with a 6-5-1 record and 19 points, U of T's women's soccer team will require a big push to end the season in order to secure a higher seed in the OUA playoffs. Two wins would see the Blues pull away from the Lakers (5-4-3), while also potentially leapfrogging the Voyageurs (7-3-2), who stand just four points ahead in second place. The crowded standings only add to the importance of this upcoming end of the season run for the Varsity Blues.

First-year sensation Natasha Klasios will be counted on up front for the Blues. The rookie from Unionville, Ont., continues to lead the team in scoring and also sits tied for third in the OUA with nine goals so far this season.

Veteran goalkeeper Sara Petrucci will also have to stand tall for the Blues. The three-time OUA all-star from Bolton, Ont., holds a .839 save percentage and 1.38 goals against average in 12 games this season.

After the visit from their northern opponents, the Varsity Blues will welcome the UOIT Ridgebacks on Wednesday, October 21 with kickoff scheduled for 6 and 8:15 p.m. The Blues will then end their season on the road against city rival Ryerson University on Saturday, October 24.

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