Three matches last week for the NSL saw all three road teams take victory, leaving home fans disappointed. Ottawa took a one goal win against dead last Calgary on Wednesday. Toronto followed that up with a big clean sheet win the following night in Québec. Saturday in Vancouver was yet another heartbreaker for the Rise as Halifax came in and took a win for the Tides as they fight for a playoff spot.
Round 14 Matches
Wednesday, 22 July
Calgary Wild 1–2 Ottawa Rapid
Calgary's woes continued on Wednesday night at McMahon Stadium as the Wild fell to Ottawa Rapid. The loss extended Calgary's winless skid to 12, with five losses on the bounce. It wasn't all bad for the hosts as Hannah Boughton, coming over from Minnesota Aurora, made her pro debut in her new home stadium.
Former Canadian U20 international Keera Melenhorst started the scoring for Ottawa late in the first half of play. After intercepting a pass Melenhorst made a solo run from close to the halfway line, dribbling into the box and beating the keeper on a low shot from twelve yards out.
Calgary attempted a comeback in the second half with Kahli Johnson leveling the match at one-all just five minutes into the second half. Eighteen minutes before the close of the match Ottawa got their goal back with Johanne Fridlund getting the game winner in the 72nd minute.
Thursday, 23 July
Montréal Roses 0–2 AFC Toronto
Right out of the gate the match between two of the leagues biggest rivals was a chippy and foul ridden affair. Three first half yellow cards were just a preview of a match that ended with 31 fouls and six bookings, including a sending off due to a second yellow card.
After a tightly fought first half that saw no goals, AFC Toronto came out of halftime swinging. Lauren Rowe snapped up a goal for the visitors just four minutes into the second frame. Just over 15 minutes later Chloe Minas was booked for the second time on the night and sent off, completely changing the trajectory of the match. Coming straight off the free kick that resumed play Kaylee Hunter directed the free kick straight into the upper corner of the goal to seal Toronto's win.
Saturday, 25 July
Vancouver Rise 0–1 Halifax Tides
Vancouver's season has been full of ups and downs a few short win streaks followed by some multi-match winless skids. Halifax's has been much the same, with a key difference being the Tides aren't the defending Matheson Cup champions while the Rise are.
For the Rise it was an even tougher end to the night as Jessica De Filippo's own goal in the 53rd minute was the only goal of the match. The only goal came off a Halifax corner that was deflected off Di Filippo's leg and went straight into goal with no chance of goalkeeper Morgan McAslan being able to stop it.
Round 15 Matches
Tuesday, 28 July
AFC Toronto vs Calgary Wild - 6pm CT / 7pm ET
Watch on: TSN (Canada), ESPN+ (USA), YouTube (Internationally)
Wednesday, 29 July
Vancouver Rise vs Montréal Roses - 9pm CT / 7pm PT
Watch on: TSN and RDS (Canada), ESPN+ (USA), YouTube (Internationally)
Saturday, 1 August
Calgary Wild vs AFC Toronto - 3pm CT / 2pm MT
Watch on: TSN (Canada), ESPN+ (USA), YouTube (Internationally)
Halifax Tides vs Ottawa Rapid - 1pm CT / 3pm AT
Watch on: CBC Gem (Canada), YouTube (Internationally)
