The Vancouver Rise have secured their spot in the first-ever Northern Super League Final by triumphing over the Ottawa Rapid in a penalty shootout on Saturday. Sofia Hagman scored the winning penalty in the sixth round, following Ottawa’s Julia Benati missing her spot kick, saved by Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan.
McAslan’s heroics included another crucial penalty save earlier in the shootout against Susanne Haaland. The pivotal moment came when Latifah Abdu converted a penalty to keep Vancouver’s hopes alive, setting the stage for Hagman’s decisive strike.
Ottawa initially held a lead in the match with goals from Delaney Baie Pridham and Melanie Forbes, putting them ahead 2-0 and 3-2 on aggregate. However, Holly Ward’s late goal for Vancouver in the 85th minute leveled the score, forcing the game into extra time.
Rapid’s head coach, Katrine Pederson, expressed mixed emotions after the intense match, acknowledging the team’s efforts despite the heartbreaking loss. Vancouver had a strong performance in the second leg, dominating possession, shots on target, and accurate passes compared to Ottawa.
With their spot secured in the NSL Final on November 15, the Rise will await the winner of the AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses semifinal. Toronto currently leads 2-0 on aggregate, with Desiree Scott, the Rapid’s captain, announcing her retirement post-match. The attendance for the game was reported at 3,068 spectators.
The upcoming NSL Final promises an exciting showdown as the Rise aim to continue their impressive run in the tournament.