The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's soccer teams host two Thanksgiving weekend doubleheaders, taking on the RMC Paladins and Queen's Gaels, October 8-9, at Varsity Stadium.
 
Saturday's matches with the Paladins will be streamed live on OUA.tv. Women kickoff at 12 p.m. followed by the men at 2:15 p.m. both days.
 
The No. 10 nationally ranked Varsity Blues men's team currently sits in second place in the OUA East following their recent swing of wins. Captain Lukas MacNaughton has been a force on both ends of the pitch, scoring four goals in the last five games including a beautiful header off a corner in the Blues 3-0 victory over Nipissing this past Sunday.
 
As part of the U of T backline, MacNaughton has combined with third-year goalkeeper Mark Rogal to produce the second best defensive unit in the province, allowing just four goals over the teams 11 games played thus far this season. Individually, Rogal leads the province with a .917 save percentage on 44 saves, while posting an OUA-leading seven clean sheets.
 
This balanced approached from the Blues will surely cause trouble for the winless Paladins on Saturday before a tough matchup with the fourth place (4-3-3) Gaels on Sunday.
 
Meanwhile, the Varsity Blues women's team are continuing to battle in the middle of a tight OUA East group, sitting with a 4-6-1 record in sixth place.
 
Striker Natasha Klasios has taken sole position of third place in the OUA goal scoring race, posting a hat trick in the Blues 6-1 win over Trent this past weekend to lift her season total to nine.
 
The high-motored Nicki Parkes and fellow striker Chelsea Cheung have played the setup role for the dynamic scoring threat, challenging opposing defences with precision passing and intense pressure and taking advantage of any miscues.
 
Toronto will utilize this attack Saturday against the 1-8-1 Paladins, who have struggled defensively allowing the third most goals in the province this season, while the 6-3-1 Gaels will offer a more withstanding backline in the critical Sunday match.
 
Following the soccer-filled Thanksgiving weekend at Varsity Stadium, U of T will play visitor to the Ryerson Rams next Wednesday, October 12. For the men, they will look to take down the top ranked No. 2 Rams in a rematch of the teams tight 1-0 loss earlier this season, while the women will be aiming for separation from the middle with a victory over the eighth place Rams squad. Women are scheduled to kickoff at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8:15 p.m.

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