Courtesy: Andrea CroftsAfter going down by a goal in the first half, the Blues managed two goals within minutes of each other to cap off a dominating opening 20 minutes to start the second half.
Associate Coach Ramin Mohammadi was satisfied with the overall performance of the women, but said they struggled out of the gate in the second after a strong first half of play.
"We knew they were going to come hard in the second," said Associate Coach Ramin Mohammadi. "We also knew (McConville) was their dangerous player, but our focus was not there for the first 20 minutes (of the second half),
The Rams were on the Blues defense from the opening whistle in similar fashion to their last meeting at Esther Shiner on September 18. In that contest, the Rams were unable to capitalize on their sustained pressure, but that was not the case on Sunday.
Fifth-year veteran Andrea Raso (Etobicoke, Ont.) made some space for herself while carrying the ball at speed in the 33rd minute, and unleashed a rifling shot that found the top right corner past a diving Sara Petrucci to put the Rams up 1-0.
Ryerson continued to attack the Blues, and a few minutes after Raso's marker, Erica Huculak got her foot on the ball after a mad scramble in front of Toronto's goal. The Barrie, Ont. native's shot just slipped past the right post.
Raso was at it again in the final minutes before halftime, sneaking past the Blues defense with a chance point blank. However, Petrucci (Bolton, Ont.) made an excellent sliding save on the former CIS all-Canadian, keeping the Blues within one heading into the second half.
Jackie Miklovich (Aurora, Ont.) had an excellent opportunity to draw the Blues level in the 49th minute off a corner kick, but her shot sailed well above the net.
The Blues were on top of the Rams defense, and McConville (Ottawa) found an open shot for herself inside the penalty area. However, Katrina Persson-Thomas, who came in for Lauren LaSalle at halftime, made a foot save and quickly scooped up the rebound to deny the former CIS rookie of the year.
McConville had another chance moments later after some missed coverage in front of the Ryerson goal, but uncharacteristically missed the target high once again.
Toronto dominated the play, and had another glorious opportunity to draw even when Mel Bowen (West Vancouver) was left unmarked with the ball. She rifled a shot from in close, but somehow Persson-Thomas (Vancouver) managed to get her hands on the ball, taking away what looked to be a sure goal.
However, it was only a matter of time before the Blues would find the equalizer. Off a corner kick in the 63rd minute and after an initial diving save by Persson-Thomas, the rebound bounced to Aisha Lewis. The Mississauga native made no mistake, leveling the contest at 1-1.
McConville wasted no time putting the Blues up a goal just minutes later, tipping the ball past a charging Persson-Thomas and into the open goal.
Raso had a chance to bring the Rams back, but her free kick in the 65th minute was right at Petrucci, who smothered the ball.
Bowen nearly gave Toronto an insurance goal after taking a pass from McConville with under 20 minutes to play, but she was once again denied on Persson-Thomas, who was stellar in the second half despite giving up two goals.
The Rams managed to earn a corner kick in injury time, and the ball squeaked out to Raso at the top of the box. Unfortunately, her shot soared over the cross bar, and Toronto would go on to a 2-1 victory.
The Rams (6-7-1) finish off the regular season next weekend in Ottawa, Ont., where they will take on the Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens before opening the first round of the OUA playoffs on Wednesday, October 26.
