The Vancouver Rise FC fell to AFC Toronto 3-2 during the Northern Super League (NSL) season opener at Swangard Stadium Saturday night (April 25).
The last time the two teams faced off was during the NSL championship in November, when Vancouver came away with the Diana B. Matheson trophy.
Vancouver hosted AFC Toronto in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,723 at Swangard Stadium.
Camila Reyes became the third Vancouver Rise FC player to score in their debut game with the team. Latifah Abdu also scored for the Rise FC late in the first half. Goalkeeper Morgan McAslan saved four of seven shots on net.
AFC Toronto opened up the scoring in the 8th minute when Sarah Stratigakis kicked the ball to Zoe Burns at the back post to kick it in. Sarah Stratigakis and Esther Okoronkwo also scored for Toronto. Goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde saved one of four shots on net.
Vancouver Rise FC head coach Anja Heiner-MØller said she was proud of her team tonight for sticking together.
“Getting behind early – I know we addressed that last year – but we faced that, and the team came back really, really good. I think we see a team that is trying its best to stick together and figure out the solutions. We produced chances throughout the game, of course, we were also struggling, but for me, that’s a team that pretty early in the season still shows that strength, and I’m really happy about that.”
The Rise FC travel to Montreal for their next game on May 2, facing the Montreal Roses at 4 p.m.
Vancouver Rise are part of Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, the Northern Super League, which debuted in 2025. The other clubs are Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montréal Roses, Ottawa Rapid FC and AFC Toronto.
About the Author: Anna Burns
I cover breaking news, health care, court, Vancouver Rise FC, Vancouver Goldeneyes and social issues-related topics for the Surrey Now-Leader. anna.burns@surreynowleader.com Follow Anna on Twitter.