The Vancouver Rise will play in the first-ever Northern Super League final.
The first leg at Swangard Stadium was intense. But the second leg at Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium was a thriller. In the NSL’s young history, this was one of the greatest games.
The Rise came into leg two with a 2-1 lead over the Ottawa Rapid and were determined to make use of their advantage. This game was a battle. It was a mixture of attacking and quick transitions from both teams.
Rise and Rapid go back and forth.
Vancouver focused on building up with quick, precise passes, while Ottawa relied on fast counter-attacks to threaten.
Holly Ward was leading the Rise’s attack from the left. From kickoff, the North Vancouver native used her speed and agility to get by the Rapid defenders. Ward, Samantha Chang, and Latifah Abdu were poised to make an early goal happen for the visitors.
Chang hit the post trying to put in a rebound by Rapid goalkeeper Mel Dageneis. Dageneis was keeping Ottawa’s hopes alive, and she made a huge save off Ward early in the match.
But it was the Rapid that struck first. It had to be NSL regular-season Golden Boot winner DB Pridham. The Rise’s defense on the corner kick was very messy, and Pridham poked it past Morgan McAslan.
Another key player for the Rapid this season is Melanie Forbes. She is known for her assists, having five in the regular season. That was tied for fourth in the NSL with Ward. Just after halftime, Forbes sped down the right wing and beat McAslan. Ottawa was in the driver’s seat.
But the Rise were not out of it one bit. They continued to move the ball quickly, and Ward was doing her best to find space and make runs. The 22-year-old Canadian international was the one who tied the game for Vancouver. Given how many chances she was creating, it was fitting that Ward scored. A lot of credit has to go to Mariah Lee for her effort to assist Ward, an excellent display of patience and pace.
It was also a cagey and physical affair in Canada’s capital. Deep in the second half, McAslan and Dageneis made huge saves to keep their teams alive. Pridham nearly scored a banger that could’ve been the match-winner, but the crossbar helped McAslan out.
Penalties
Two intense games went to penalty shootouts in the soccer world on Saturday. There was the Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders Game 3 of their first round MLS Cup Playoffs series, and of course, the Rapid vs. Rise in Ottawa.
This was the first-ever penalty shootout in NSL history and did not disappoint. It looked dire for the Rise when Lisa Pechersky, the first penalty taker for Vancouver, shot hers wide of the right post. Pechersky was also one of the players who was dangerous for the Rise in the game, but that penalty wasn’t good at all.
The two teams traded penalty goals until McAslan denied Susanne Haaland, which gave the Rise a huge lifeline. Abdu then tied the shootout up. McAslan came up huge again as she denied a similar penalty from Julia Benati.
Sofia Hagman sealed the deal and sent the Rise to the NSL final, where they will face either AFC Toronto or the Montreal Roses.
It was intense and nerve-wracking at times, but the Rise found a way.
Stat of the match
The Rise had 30 shots in this game, and 11 were on target. Wowzers.
Wrap-up
AFC Toronto leads the Roses 2-0 in their tie. Leg Two is on Sunday at York Lions Stadium.
The NSL final takes place on November 15 at Toronto’s BMO Field. The Rise have a chance to lift the Diane B. Matheson cup. Will they face Toronto or Montreal?
The Rise started the inaugural NSL season back in April at BC Place against the Calgary Wild, and now they have a chance to finish it.
