AFC Toronto secured a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Roses in the first leg of the Northern Super League semifinal on Saturday. Nikayla Small and Kaylee Hunter scored for Toronto in the seventh and 70th minutes, respectively. The second leg will take place on November 9 at York Lions Stadium.
Toronto coach Marko Milanovic expressed confidence in his team’s preparation for the upcoming match. Goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde put up a solid performance, maintaining a clean sheet at Stade Boréale in Laval, Quebec.
Milanovic credited the team’s finishing ability for the win, acknowledging that both sides had their chances. He highlighted the exceptional play of Cota-Yarde and the defensive line, emphasizing the team effort and resilience in the face of injuries.
Ottawa Rapid FC and the Vancouver Rise will kick off the other semifinal at TD Place on Tuesday. The winners of the semifinals will face off in the championship match on November 15 at BMO Field in Toronto.
Small and Hunter’s goals were crucial for Toronto, with Small praising the early goal that helped settle the team in challenging weather conditions. Hunter, a standout performer at 17, was the second-highest scorer in the NSL’s inaugural season and recently earned recognition as the rookie of the year.
Toronto finished atop the NSL standings with 16 wins and entered the playoffs on a five-match winning streak. The Roses secured the final playoff spot with a 10-9-6 record.
In conclusion, AFC Toronto’s strong performance in the semifinal sets the stage for an exciting second leg against Montreal as they aim for a spot in the championship match.