The No. 7 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 7-0 on Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon at Varsity Stadium.

Fifth-year forward Russell Stewart and third-year midfielder Andrea Schifano led the away offensively for U of T, each scoring two goals in the match. With a 6-1-1 record the Blues sit at the top of the OUA East.

The Blues opened the scoring in the 23^rd minute when third-year midfielder found a streaking Jordan Grey as the first-year Blue began an afternoon of offensive excellence for the Blue and White. In the 35^th minute Toronto doubled its lead as fifth-year forward Kingsley Belele beat two Lakers defenders to the ball and beat Nipissing goalkeeper Dante Emmanuel low, giving the Blues a 2-0 advantage at halftime.

U of T was relentless in the second half with Stewart extending the lead in the 50^th minute, storming into the box and firing a shot into the back of the net. In the 65^th minute first-year forward Justin Meka capitalized on a heads-up pass by Schifano to make it a 4-0 game. Schifano scored the next two goals first his first of the match coming in the 69^th minute and scoring on a penalty after his effort in the box drew a call in the 75^th minute. In the 85^th minute, Stewart fired a hard shot from outside the box past a diving Emmanuel, capitalizing off a strong effort from third-year midfielder Quinton Chung to keep the ball in the offensive zone.

Toronto's defence was strong once again this season, limiting Nipissing to just one shot on target as Second-year goaltender Filip Zendelek secured his fourth clean sheet of the season.

The Blues are back in action on Saturday (Oct. 4) afternoon when they travel to Peterborough, Ont., to take on the Trent Excalibur. Kick off is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. and will be streamed live on oua.tv.