Latifah Abdu netted two goals in the opening half to steer Vancouver Rise to a 2-1 triumph over Ottawa Rapid FC at home in the first leg of the Northern Super League semifinal on Tuesday. Ottawa’s Delaney Pridham narrowed the gap in the second period, setting the stage for the second leg scheduled at Ottawa’s TD Place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, AFC Toronto, leading the league, will face off against the Montreal Roses in the other semifinal. Toronto heads into the second leg on Sunday with a 2-0 advantage from the initial encounter.
The victors of the semifinal rounds, based on aggregate scores, will progress to the championship match set for November 15 at Toronto’s BMO Field. This event will crown the inaugural champion of the new Canadian women’s professional soccer league.
Abdu capitalized on a defensive error in the 14th minute, seizing the opportunity as Ottawa goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais attempted to distribute the ball outside the penalty area at Swangard Stadium.
In another turn of events, Abdu struck again in the 21st minute with a well-placed left-footed shot after creating space on the run. Pridham managed to pull one back for Ottawa in the 66th minute, eluding Vancouver’s defense and slotting a low left-footer past Rise’s goalkeeper Morgan McAslan.
Pridham, the top goal scorer in the NSL’s inaugural season with 19 goals, notched her first goal in the playoffs. Ottawa coach Katrine Pederson expressed disappointment with her team’s first-half performance but acknowledged a stronger showing in the second half, emphasizing an improved mindset and creating more scoring opportunities.