TORONTO – For the third straight game the UOIT men's soccer team surrendered a late goal that resulted in a loss as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the No. 6 ranked Toronto Varsity Blues.

Toronto sweeps the season series with the Ridgebacks as they improve to 5-0-1 to sit atop of the OUA east standings. UOIT falls to 2-4-0 after losing three straight games but hold on to the final playoff position.
 
Much like their match from a week ago, the Varsity Blues found themselves down 1-0 early as the Ridgebacks opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a goal from Noah Antenucci (Brampton, Ont.), as he headed the ball over the goalkeeper off a feed from Erik Petrovic (Sombar, Serbia).

However, this time Toronto would not wait for the second half to find an equalizer as fifth-year striker Nirun Sivananthan evened the game in the 35th minute, delivering a beautiful finish following a pass from third-year defender Kenny Lioutas. 

Just one minute after the halftime break, Toronto nearly took the lead as Sivananthan drew a penalty inside the box. Toronto captain Lukas MacNaughton took the penalty kick but UOIT goalkeeper Vithuran Karvannathasan (Brampton, Ont.) proved to be equal to the task with an incredible diving save. Karvannathasan entered the game in the second half in relief of Nicholas Miller (Oshawa, Ont.).

Toronto continued to pressure and, in the 77th minute, a strong strike from third-year striker Jack Wadden created a rebound, which Lioutas finished to put the Varsity Blues ahead for good.

All three Ridgeback losses during this current slump have been by one goal.

UOIT will look to rebound with a single game next weekend on Sunday, Sept. 17 but it will not get an easier as it is up against the No. 7 ranked Ryerson Rams. Game time at Vaso's Field is 3:15 p.m.