November 2, 2014

Varsity Blues defeat Rams for men’s bronze

Toronto Varsity Blues goalkeeper Rab Bruce-Lockhart turned in a performance for the ages and led his team to a penalty-kick victory over the inner-city rival Ryerson Rams.

Toronto

Ryerson

Final

OT2

Toronto ()

Ryerson ()

Toronto Varsity Blues goalkeeper Rab Bruce-Lockhart turned in a performance for the ages and led his team to a penalty-kick victory over the inner-city rival Ryerson Rams.

Kilian Elkinson, 2014's East Division MVP, opened the scoring on a penalty kick for the Blues in the 16^th minute. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Elkinson made no mistake putting the ball in the top left corner of the net past a diving Praveen Ahlian.

It was the first time in the 2014 OUA Final Four Soccer Tournament that a goal was scored in the first half by either a men's or women's team.

In the 37^th minute, a scrum ensued when Rams midfielder Jackson Tooke pulled down Toronto's Lukas McNaughton by his jersey. Both players received a red card, and turned the match into a 10-aside game of soccer, opening up the field for more offensive opportunities.

Ryerson's Viktor Anastasov capitalized in the 53^rd minute, scoring arguably the best of the tournament.

On what seemed like a harmless play, Anastasov had possession of the ball just inside the right side of the 18-yard box and was able to create some space between himself and the defender. He then launched a shot that curled over the defender and the goalkeeper ducking just under the far left cross bar, tying the game.

The Rams pressure continued in the 65^th minute as they nearly took the lead off a free-kick from just above the 18-yard box. Martin Dabrowski curled the ball around the wall of Varsity Blues defenders and it seemed destined to find the back of the net until Bruce-Lockhart made a magnificent diving save.

Just three minutes later, Bruce-Lockhart was called on again as Anastasov and Dabrowski came in two-on-one. Dabrowski delivered a strike from just inside the top of the box and again diving to his right, Bruce-Lockhart kept the Blues alive.

And because everything comes in threes, Bruce-Lockhart turned aside another Ram streaking in alone in the 82^nd minute, who again tried to test Bruce-Lockhart to his right side.

As per OUA regulations, the bronze medal match went straight to penalty kicks where Bruce-Lockhart shone once more.

Varsity Blues striker Mario Kovacevic was the first player from either side to shoot, burying his kick past Ahlian. Bruce-Lockhart turned aside Anastasov, the first Ram to kick, and was staked to a two-goal lead when Blues midfielder Dap Afolayan converted Toronto's second penalty try.

That was all Bruce-Lockhart needed, allowing just one goal to Ryerson on Dabrowski's penalty kick.

The Blues fifth shooter, Hugo Vieira, converted his penalty and sealed the game 3-1 on penalty kicks.

Bruce-Lockhart made a total of six saves in regulation time, many with a high degree of difficulty, and was named Player of the Game.