AFC Toronto closed out May with a 2-0 win over Montreal Roses FC in Northern Super League action at Stade Boréale in Laval on a chilly and blustering Thursday night.
Two stunning strikes from Esther Okoronkwo and Emma Regan propelled Toronto to the top of the table as they improved their unbeaten streak to four games.
There were two changes for AFC Toronto as Aoi Kizaki made her first start of the season while Hong Hye-ji returned to the back line. There were also two changes for Montreal as Lori Thibault got her first start, replacing Tanya Boychuk, with Jodi Smith filling in at left back.
Early attacking pressure from both sides
AFC Toronto arrived intent on avenging its home opener loss to Montreal a month ago. The visitors went on the front foot early as Shaina Ashouri had the first chance of the night. Rounding two defenders with a nice flick, she forced an early save in tight from Montreal goalkeeper Anna Karpenko.
Toronto continued to look dangerous as Colby Barnett and Kizaki sent teasing balls into the box to Toronto’s front line, putting Montreal’s defense on high alert. Lucy Cappadona had to be attentive as she made a key block to disrupt Toronto’s aggressive counter-attack.
Loading ...After soaking up Toronto’s early pressure, Montreal pushed up higher, forcing Toronto’s defensive line to make quick passes and create defensive miscues. Mégane Sauvé and Noémi Paquin pestered the defense, and Montreal’s press led to two dangerous miscues from Toronto goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde and Sarah Rollins inside their six-yard box. Hailey Whitaker was lively on the right side, finding Latifah Abdu in space and making runs into the middle.
Around halfway through the first 45 minutes, Abdu laid a pass to Allie Hess, whose shot from distance had to be quickly scooped up. Moments later, pressure from Hess led to a defensive miscue and a teasing shot from distance by Abdu.
Okoronkwo scores a stunner for AFC Toronto
In the 35th minute, Okoronkwo opened the scoring for Toronto with an outrageous goal. Barnett hit a cross-field pass that strayed past Okoronkwo and skipped to the opposite corner flag, where Ashouri collected the ball. Laying a pass to Okoronkwo at the top right corner of the box, Okoronkwo took a touch to her left and hit a beautiful curling dipping shot that sailed over an outstretched Karpenko into the top left corner to make it 1-0 Toronto. This goal was Okoronkwo’s third of the season, tying her at the top of the Golden Boot race.
AFC Toronto beat Montreal Roses 2-0 in Northern Super League action Thursday, May 22, 2025. Photo courtesy Northern Super League
Toronto had one last chance before the half through good build-up play from Nikayla Small and Barnett. They found Kizaki, who darted through the penalty box and forced Karpenko to tip away the shot in tight.
As dusk fell in Laval, so did the play on the field as both sides couldn’t find an edge in the opening stages of the second half.
In the 72nd minute, Lara Schenk did well to find Whitaker, who quickly turned and fired a shot from distance that went just wide of the post.
Regan’s first goal is a beauty
In the 73rd minute, Toronto extended its lead from another brilliant goal outside the box. Okoronkwo did well to beat Smith to the byline and sent a cross into the penalty box. Off a half-clearance, Small picked up the ball in the box and laid a pass into Regan at the top of the box, who one-timed a perfectly placed curling shot into the top right corner. The shot clipped the crossbar and went bar down into the net to extend Toronto’s lead by 2. With Small’s league-leading third assist of the season, the captain scored her first goal of the season.
Montreal tried to find a consolation goal in the final minutes. Sauvé had a brilliant run down the left to cut past Hong, but her shot in tight wasn’t able to test Cota-Yarde. With a final chance of the night, Claire Monyard found space at the top of the box and hit a shot from distance, but it went just over the bar.
It was a complete performance for AFC Toronto as they looked composed in attack and conceded few chances. Despite some early defensive miscues, Milanovic’s side held on and looks like the dangerous team people expected at the beginning of the season. After starting the season with two losses, they sit on top of the table, level on points with Montreal. They will look to continue their unbeaten streak heading into the international break.
Montreal Roses offensive struggles continue
After a positive start to the season, Montreal is now goalless in their last three matches. They have struggled to find an offensive connection inside their opponents’ final third and create dangerous opportunities inside the penalty box.
“It was a strong effort from the players in a tough match against a high-quality opponent,” said head coach Robert Rositoiu post-game. “We lacked composure in key moments, especially in one-on-one situations and when defending our box.
“We had better spells in possession in the second half, but we need to keep working on establishing ourselves in the attacking half, building momentum, and breaking down the opposition to finish our chances more effectively.”
Montreal Roses FC will head to the nation’s capital to face Ottawa Rapid FC on Sunday, May 25. While AFC Toronto will return home after the international break to face Ottawa Rapid FC on Saturday, June 7.
