The No. 6 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team fell 2-1 the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in their home finale on Saturday (Oct. 10) afternoon at Varsity Stadium.
Following a pregame ceremony to honour the five graduating Blues, second-year goalkeeper Shane Perera was tested early making a stop off a booming 50-yard kick from Christian Keshishian. Following the ensuing corner the Blues settled into the match as the two sides began trading chances. In the 41
st minute the Blue and White got the best chance of the half. Shifty coming down the wing was first-year forward Adam Belquas who danced around defenders before sending a pass to fellow first-year forward Christopher Sneddon Simons who beat goalkeeper Peter Sheberstov but not the crossbar as the game remained deadlocked at the break.
Tension remained high in the second half as the two sides continued to trade chances. In the 82
nd minute U of T netted the icebreaker as third-year forward Niklas Hallam finished off second-year defender Thomas Tome's cross with a header for his U SPORTS leading 12
th goal of the season.
Ontario Tech responded quickly with an 82
nd minute goal of their own courtesy of Jaiden Santo. In the 90
th minute Ontario Tech's Alex Maadanian stormed around the box and scored the game-winning goal.
With a 5-3-3 (W-L-T) record, U of T will turn their attention to the final match of the regular season against the Queen's Gaels in Kingston on Friday (Oct. 16) night. With critical postseason positioning on the line, kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m., with a live stream available on
oua.tv.
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