The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team kicked off their 2024 season securing a commanding 4-1 victory over the Trent Excalibur at Varsity Stadium on Friday (Aug. 30) night.

Toronto set the tone early, with forward Andrea Schifano finding the back of the net in the 16th minute, giving the Blues a 1-0 lead. Schifano, a key player throughout the match, continued to apply pressure, leading the team in shots on goal.

The second half saw a quick equalizer from Trent, as forward Oliver Parratt scored in the 52nd minute to level the game at 1-1. However, the Blues quickly regained control. Toronto's relentless effort led to a 75th-minute deflected goal by defender Naseeb Bains, assisted by Schifano, putting the Blues back in the lead.

Just a minute later, midfielder Mehdi Essoussi extended the lead to 3-1 with a well-placed penalty kick, leaving Trent struggling to keep up. Toronto sealed their victory in the 86th minute when forward Jacob Prested, assisted by Schifano, scored the fourth and final goal of the game.

Toronto's defense was also formidable, with goalkeeper Alex Lin making crucial saves, particularly in the first half, to keep Trent at bay. Lin finished the match with two saves, while Toronto out shot Trent 15-7, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the pitch.

The win marks a strong start to the season for the Varsity Blues, who will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for tomorrow afternoon's match vs. the RMC Paladins (3:15 P.M). Tickets are available for purchase at varsityblues.ca/tickets.