OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's soccer team is still looking for their first victory in program history against the Toronto Varsity Blues after a pair of second half goals lifted Toronto to a 2-1 victory.
 
Sunday's loss at home for the Ridgebacks brings them back to .500 on the season with a 2-2-0 record.
 
In the first half, the Ridgebacks were out chanced 8-3, but after a handball in the box by the Varsity Blues, Fabio Campoli (Frosinone, Italy) capitalized with a goal on a penalty kick to give UOIT a 1-0 lead in the 32^nd minute.
 
At halftime, it remained a one-goal advantage for the home team.
 
"I'm disappointed we weren't able to keep the lead," said UOIT head coach Peyvand Mossavat. "What we've talked about as a team is not being okay with this and having a culture change of not being okay of losing when we're leading a match like we were today. We're done with accepting an honourable defeat because it's U of T and they're historically a strong program."
 
The second half was better for the Ridgebacks when it came to opportunities, as they were only out shot 7-5, but similar to the first half Toronto brought the pressure and had another four corner kicks – identical to the opening 45 minutes.
 
Jack Wadden was the first to break through for the Varsity Blues as he buried his shot past UOIT goalkeeper Nicholas Miller (Oshawa, Ont.), who had been keeping his club in the game and finished with six saves in the match.
 
Just 12 minutes later with under four minutes to go Antonio Ajhert scored the game winning goal with an assist by Wadden to earn Toronto three points.
 
Mark Rogal made three saves for the Varsity Blues in the victory.
 
"We want to change the culture here and not accept losing matches like today, which I – and not to take anything away from U of T – believe was a winnable game for us," said Mossavat.
 
UOIT's next three OUA matches are against Ryerson and Toronto as they face the Rams on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Downsview Park before Sunday's rematch against the Varsity Blues. Following that the Ridgebacks will return home to host Ryerson on Sept. 17 at Vaso's Field.
 
This Wednesday they will be back in action at home in their annual Campus Cup exhibition match against the Durham Lords. The women's match (30-minute halfs) kicks off at 7 p.m. followed by the men's at 8 p.m. In 2016 it was the first time a school swept the two matches, with UOIT defeating Durham in both.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 2-4-0
Conference Record: 2-2-0
 
Next Game: Wednesday, Sept. 6 vs. Durham Lords* (8 p.m.)