The Vancouver Rise came into Calgary hoping to secure second in the NSL table, but the Wild have other plans as they defeated their visitors 2-1 at McMahon Stadium.
Meggie Dougherty Howard converted the first-half penalty, and Kahli Johnson added the game-winner in the second. Jessica De Filippo had the lone goal for the Rise.
The Rise dominated the first half in terms of possession, but they had difficulty finding clear opportunities.
The best they had throughout the first half came from Latifah Abdu. However, she skied the ball after receiving it from Mariah Lee while she was off-balance.
Calgary had similar issues in creating chances, but found luck with a penalty late in the half. Jessika Cowart brought down Kahli Johnson after the Wild attacker got around her, giving referee Salma Flores-Desrochers no choice but to point to the spot.
Wild captain Meggie Dougherty Howard stepped up for the second time in as many matches and sent Rise keeper Morgan McAslan the wrong way.
It was the only shot on target throughout the half.
Calgary got started right away in the second half, scoring only a minute in. Johnson was on the receiving end of a quality cross from Jorian Baucom. One touch was all that was needed for the Aussie to redirect it into the net for the Wild’s second goal on the night.
Jessica De Filippo had the Rise’s first shot on target, a close header off a corner in the 57th minute. But while that chance went begging, she did put Vancouver on the scoresheet with her second chance later in the half.
Holly Ward was brought down inside the 28-yard box in the 71st minute, sending the Rise to the penalty spot. De Filippo stepped up and scored.
But it was almost not to be; only the referee spotted the goal after the shot rang off the crossbar and hit the ground inside the net before bouncing out.
Anna Bout had the chance to tie the match in the 89th minute after Ward cut inside and got the ball to her dangerously in front of the net. But she was denied by the post. De Filippo had an opportunity herself in stoppage time off a corner kick, but the effort was saved.
It was a valiant late-game push, but the Rise were unable to find the tying goal, rueing earlier chances and a frustrating first half as they went down 2-1 in Calgary.
De Filippo on form
With her goal tonight, De Filippo has scored in her last three Rise matches, taking her season tally up to seven. She has the second-most goals on the squad, two behind Abdu, who came to Vancouver during the summer window.
Before her entry into the game in the 57th minute, the Rise had no shots on target. Not only did De Filippo get their first in the 59th minute, she also scored and had four of their eight eventual shots on target.
She was a difference maker on the night. However, her and her teammates’ efforts were not enough to move up to second in the NSL.
Up next
The Rise will wait for the season to finish this weekend before they know their next match. They have qualified for the NSL Playoffs, but the final rankings are still not completed.
The Rise will face either AFC Toronto or Ottawa Rapid FC in the semi-final of the playoffs.
