For the first time, the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men’s soccer team is the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champion.

The Ridgebacks defeated the York Lions 2-1 on November 2 at York’s home field to win the OUA gold medal. The victory capped an outstanding playoff run that began with an October 23 win over Nipissing, followed by road wins at Toronto and McMaster.

Erion Metaj scored both Ridgebacks goals in the first half of the championship game against York.

The Ridgebacks will carry the momentum of a provincial title into the eight-team Bruce Power U SPORTS national championship tournament, which Ontario Tech is hosting from November 7 to 10 at Vaso’s Field. This event marks the first time Ontario Tech is playing host to U SPORTS national championship event.

Ontario Tech will face the McGill Redbirds (Montréal) in the U SPORTS quarter-finals. Also competing at the national championship in Oshawa are: York University (Toronto), University of New Brunswick (Fredericton), University of British Columbia (Vancouver), St. Francis Xavier University (Antigonish, NS), Mount Royal University (Calgary), and Université de Montréal.

The 2024 OUA men’s soccer championship marks the second provincial title for the overall Ridgebacks soccer program. The Ontario Tech women’s soccer team won the OUA championship in 2016.