Blues top Rams to win bronze, qualify for CIS national tournament

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team booked their ticket to the 2015 CIS championship with a 3-0 victory over the Ryerson Rams in the OUA bronze-medal match on Sunday afternoon at York Stadium.

It was the second time in three weeks that the No. 6 nationally ranked Blues upset the Rams, who entered the Final Four ranked No. 4 in the country.

Toronto will join the host and No. 2 York Lions, as well as the McMaster Marauders at the CIS championship, November 12-15, at York Stadium. The seeding and schedule will be announced Sunday evening.

The Blues last appeared on the national stage during a three-season skid from 2009-11. This will be their 15th national championship berth since 1972, with U of T claiming their lone CIS banner in 1988.

Third-year forward Dakar Charles opened the scoring in the 13th minute as he chased down a long ball and flicked it into the net.

Blues leading scorer Nirun Sivananthan, who was named a 2015 OUA second team all-star, padded U of T's lead in the 36th minute. The Ryerson goalkeeper came out to challenge and long ball and Sivananthan beat him to it to score from 25 yards out.  Toronto was up 2-0 at the half.

Toronto added an insurance marker in the 52nd minute when Sivananthan beat a Rams defender on the end line and Antonio Ajhert was there to put it in. 

Second-year goalkeeper Mark Rogal made five saves in the victory.

Source: CIS