TORONTO — The Northern Super League kicked off mid-week in Vancouver but there was still a sense of history Saturday as Montreal Roses FC hung on to edge AFC Toronto 1-0 in Game 2 at BMO Field.
"Women in Quebec, women in Canada, they deserve this," said Montreal coach Robert Rositoiu. "And I really hope that as a league we're going to keep showing what we showed today, what we showed Wednesday. A good show, to convince more young girls that they can dream. It's on."
While the football was sloppy at times, as one might expect from two teams taking their first steps, there was no shortage of entertainment for the receptive crowd announced at 14,518. There was plenty of skill and grit on display in a game that showed the new six-team women's league has plenty to offer.
But the lone goal came from a blunder as Montreal co-captain Tanya Boychuk, a 24-year-old former Canadian youth international from Edmonton, was gifted a gilt-edged opportunity in the second minute.
The disastrous start for the home side saw Nyota Katembo unwittingly set up Boychuk with an errant back pass. Rather than finding Toronto teammate Cloey Uddenberg, the ball went straight to Boychuk who headed unchecked toward the Toronto goal, needing just one touch before beating Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner with a left-footed low shot.
Boychuk said it was a surreal moment.
"I was like "Did I just do that?' And then I started running and I started running away from my teammates and I thought 'I don't even know where I'm going.' But it was awesome."
Toronto coach Marko Milanovic had expressed concern before the game about the effect of nerves on his players performing on such a big stage. The goal proved his point.
"You saw it. It was a simple pass. There was no pressure," he said. "Obviously Nyota is a top player and it was all nerves at that point."
It took a while for Toronto to steady itself. But the home side came on as the first half progressed.
Toronto offered a lot more in attack in the second half with Montreal soaking up the pressure as the sun began to peak out. Toronto was pushing hard for an equalizer as the clock wound down with Montreal goalkeeper Anna Karpenko having to put out fires.
Toronto outshot Montreal 15-4 (6-2 in shots on target) and had 59 per cent possession.
"Although we didn't get the goal, we didn't get the result, I think we were pushing until the end and I think that's a very important message," said Toronto captain Emma Regan.
Both teams said afterwards they can do better.
Regan savoured the moment when she saw a fan holding a poster with a drawing of her.
"That used to be me in the stands, cheering on Team Canada," said the 25-year-old Canadian international midfielder. "So it's cool. A full-circle moment."
The NSL kicked off Wednesday with Vancouver Rise FC's 1-0 win over the visiting Calgary Wild before an announced crowd of 14,018 at B.C. Place Stadium.
Both Vancouver and Toronto will be returning to smaller stages for future matches with Vancouver playing at Swangard Stadium in suburban Burnaby and Toronto at York Lions Stadium.
It was an overcast 18 C at kickoff at BMO Field, where the lower bowl — the only part of the stadium open — was sold out. And the crowd made their voices heard at kickoff and the noise rose whenever Toronto went on the attack.
"Witness the Beginning" was the slogan that flashed on the stadium video screen before kickoff. Star sprinter Andre De Grasse, part of Toronto's ownership, brought out the match ball.
Members of the PWHL's Toronto Sceptres also took part in the pre-game festivities.
The AFC Toronto starting 11 featured Regan and five other Canadians (including a Canadian-born St. Kitts and Nevis international) plus two players from the U.S. and one each from Finland, Nigeria and South Korea.
The Montreal starting 11 featured five players from Canada including co-captain Megane Sauve, five from the U.S. and one from France.
Toronto was not at full strength, missing injured forwards Jade Kovacevic, Mya Jones and Amanda West among others.
Nigerian forward Esther Okoronkwo, a veteran of the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, showed some flair up top for Toronto. She got some rough treatment at times from Montreal defenders.
Regan hit the crossbar with a shot from just outside the penalty box in the 48th minute. And Karpenko had to make a couple of big saves in the 53rd minute with her defence carved open.
Toronto sent on 17-year-old Kaylee Hunter, an electric Canadian youth international from Calgary, in the 61st minute.
"She's the future definitely. She's someone with crazy potential," said Milanovic.
FOOT NOTES: All six teams are in action next weekend with Calgary at Halifax Tides FC on Saturday and Toronto at Ottawa Rapid FC and Montreal at Vancouver on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2025.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
