The No. 9 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team defeated the Queen's Gaels 2-1 on Saturday (Sept. 7) afternoon at Varsity Stadium.

Second-year midfielder Niklas Hallam was the hero for U of T with a goal in the 90^th minute earning the Blues second win of the season.

In a tightly contested match between two OUA rivals the Blues were ready to rise to the occasion from the opening kickoff. In the 22^nd minute fourth-year midfielder Michael Osorio found the back of the net off of a free kick. The Coquitlam, B.C., native sent the ball on target with force and the tricky angle didn't phase Osorio, who secured his first goal of the season.

The game drew even in the 45^th minute when Queen's forward Jacob Ball found the back of the net, tying the game at 1-1 going into halftime.

In the second half U of T kept pushing for the edge as the high-intensity match between the two teams progressed. The Blue and White got great scoring chances but offsides stifled the opportunities as an eager Blues squad continued to fight for the lead.

As time continued to get closer to the finish, Hallam played the hero, sending the Varsity Stadium crowd home happy. Fifth-year forward Kingsley Belele fired a cross over to Hallam. The Victoria, B.C. native stormed between two Gaels defenders to get to the ball first. While he was in the air, his strike made its way past Gaels goaltender Connor Adams and into the back of the net. Hallam's game winning goal was his second goal of the season.

Second-year goalkeeper Filip Zendelek made 5 saves in the victory for U of T.

The Blues will face off against the Gaels once again in their next match on Saturday (Sept. 13) afternoon in Kingston, Ont. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. and will be streamed live on OUA.tv.