TORONTO- The Ryerson Rams men's soccer team returns home for games this weekend against the RMC Paladins and Queen's Gaels.  The men are currently ranked third in the OUA East division with a 5-2-2 record.

The Rams will look to re-group after their seven-game undefeated streak came to a screeching halt at Laurentian last Sunday, where they were soundly defeated 4-1 by the Voyageurs.  Before that, they had won three-straight games, including two last week against Trent and Nipissing. 

Toronto native Viktor Anastasov is currently leading the OUA East division in scoring, having tallied nine goals through as many games so far this season.  Rookies Jamie Baker (Aurora, Ont.) and Misel Klisara (Zenica, Bosnia) have recorded five and three goals respectively thus far. 

Saturday's match-up will take place at Lamport Stadium against the winless Paladins (0-7-0), who have surrendered 27 goals so far this season, the most in the OUA.  The Rams already defeated RMC 4-2 in Kingston, Ont. on September 25, and will be looking to complete the season sweep on home ground.

Before the match, the men's soccer team will recognize senior players Adrian Mancini (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ashkan Mahboubi (Pickering, Ont.) and Dimitri Karopoulos (Scarborough, Ont.). 

Sunday's game against the Gaels represents a critical juncture of the season for Ryerson.  Although the men have put together a solid campaign thus far, they have yet to defeat a top-four counterpart in the East division.  In three games played, the Rams have managed just two draws to go along with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the current division leader Carleton in their home opener.  In both of Ryerson's ties against the Toronto Varsity Blues and Gaels, the Rams had to come back after surrendering early leads to earn a point.

On September 24, Queen's went up 2-0, but heroics by Anastasov, who found the goal twice in the second half, allowed the Rams to escape with a tie at Richardson Stadium.

The Gaels have a game in-hand on Ryerson, and sit just four points back of the Rams.  A victory on Sunday, coupled with a triumph over RMC the day before, could give the Rams more breathing room and put them in a better place to make a run for the top two spots in the division and a first-round playoff bye in late October. 

The Rams will take on RMC at Lamport Stadium this Saturday and then move to Birchmount Stadium on Sunday for an afternoon tilt with Queen's.  Both games will begin at 3:15 p.m.