AFC Toronto bounced back from last weekend’s defeat at BMO Field with a 2-0 win over Calgary Wild FC at York Lions Stadium Saturday afternoon.
This was Toronto’s first win at home since July 10 and their return to York Lions Stadium since July 18.
The two goals of the match came from new summer signing Zoe Burns, who scored her first NSL goal and first brace.
Asked about her performance post-game, Burns said, “It’s always good to be able to convert when asked – we all knew that we would have to step up, so that’s always a good feeling to be able to deliver.”
With key names out of the Toronto lineup, including Kaylee Hunter and Victoria Pickett, head coach Marko Milanovic had the opportunity to bring on new faces and test a rotating lineup.
Deadlock in the opening stages
AFC Toronto started on the front foot as captain Emma Regan had two early chances on goal within the first 10 minutes.
In the 39th minute, a giveaway in the middle of the pitch was picked up by Nikayla Small, who released Lauren Rowe on goal, but Calgary goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec was quick to close down the angle.
A couple of minutes later, Small had a shot from distance that went just wide of the net.
Burns’ brace on either side of the break
In the first minute of added time before the break, Toronto broke the deadlock and found the opening goal of the match. Pressing into Calgary’s end, Rowe found Esther Okoronkwo at the top of the box, who quickly laid a pass to Burns on the right side. Burns hit the shot first-time on goal, where it deflected off Calgary defender Meikayla Moore and into the back of the net for Burn’s debut goal, giving Toronto the 1-0 lead.
In the 47th minute, Burns would strike again. A free-kick from Regan was cleared to the top of the box, where an unmarked Burns hit a half-volley through a crowd and into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 for Toronto.
Rowe, another summer signing alongside Burns, was dynamic in her start up top, stretching the field and bringing energy to the Toronto front line. Holding up play to create chances and finding shots in tight to test the keeper, Rowe has been a lively addition to an already electric attacking side.
Calgary did not do much to test the Toronto defensive line during the match, but in the final minute, they came close to a consolation goal as a flick from Danielle Steer in the box had to be quickly handled by Sierra Cote-Yarde.
On the team’s performance, Milanovic said post-game, “I thought today was one of our most complete performances from beginning to end. We could have maybe created a bigger gap before halftime and scored some of those chances that we had. We defended quite well throughout the game, and I don’t really remember a clear-cut scoring opportunity that the other team had.”
In the final minute, Milanovic brought on 16-year-old Olivia Chisholm, who became the youngest player to debut in the NSL.
Speaking on the team’s youth development program post-game, Milanovic said, “We want this to be a place where our best young talent from all over the country comes and develops. We want them to know that they will get an opportunity to play here. [Kaylee Hunter] is obviously an example, but it’s not just her. We have a very young team – the youngest in the league. We’re going to continue to give those players an opportunity. And it’s not just that they’re young, they’re also good and they have a lot of potential.”
With four of the five games played in their season series against Calgary, Toronto remains undefeated with a 4-0-0 record. They also continue to increase their lead in the standings, bringing their total up to 35 points.
Both teams’ next matches will be on the road on Saturday, September 6. AFC Toronto will travel to Wanderers Grounds to face Halifax Tides FC, while Calgary Wild FC will play Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium.
