League-leading scorer Delaney Baie “DB” Pridham added another chapter to her stellar campaign as Ottawa Rapid FC powered to a 3-1 victory over Calgary Wild FC on Saturday in Northern Super League (NSL) action at TD Place.
Facing a Calgary side worn thin by injuries and travel, Ottawa took full advantage with a confident and composed performance in front of their home fans.
The Rapid bossed possession, won key midfield battles, and struck at crucial moments to reclaim their home ground dominance.
For head coach Lydia Bedford and her Calgary side, the defeat extends a frustrating streak defined more by misfortune than form.
“Everyone is going to have [injuries]in the season, but we are definitely in that phase where injuries are hampering some of our plans,” Bedford admitted post-match. “But at the same time, Ottawa was sharper than us today and moved the ball better than we did.”
Pridham opens the floodgates yet again
After a cagey opening 30 minutes, it was Ottawa’s skipper and veteran Canadian Desiree Scott who ignited the breakthrough.
Winning the ball high up the pitch through relentless pressing, Scott helped Min-A Lee execute a cheeky backheel that allowed Johanne Fridlund to send a composed through-ball to DB Pridham, who calmly slotted the ball past Jackie Burns.
The goal was Pridham’s ninth of the season, extending her lead atop the NSL scoring charts and reaffirming her status as the league’s premier attacking threat.
Ottawa thought they had doubled their lead moments later through another Pridham strike after a Kayla Adamek run and cross from the right, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Calgary nearly found an equalizer just before halftime through winger Christie Gray, whose silky first touch left Choo Hyo-joo behind. Her driven shot, however, flashed just wide of the post — a moment that encapsulated Calgary’s narrow misses throughout the night.
Calgary respond but Ottawa stay in control
Despite showing renewed urgency after the interval, Calgary struggled to cope with Ottawa’s midfield rhythm, orchestrated by the tireless Scott and flanked by the energetic Stella Downing.
Downing nearly found the net herself in the 50th minute, chasing a long ball after a miscue by Meikayla Moore, but Burns reacted well to smother the danger.
Ottawa’s second goal was a masterclass in substitution impact.
Nicola Golen, introduced in the second half, threaded a diagonal cross that carved open Calgary’s backline and found the blistering pace of Melanie Forbes on the right flank.
The winger raced in behind and finished with the outside of her boot — a goal that epitomized Ottawa’s attacking elegance.
Calgary weren’t done yet, though. After a scramble in the Ottawa box in the 83rd minute, substitute Sonia O’Neill pounced on a loose clearance and rifled home a well-struck volley for her first NSL goal, injecting life into the match at 2–1.
“You could tell a lot of our players were tired because of the heat,” said O’Neill, one of the league’s only player-mothers. “Even if we didn’t win the game, I knew it was important to score. Goal differential matters in a league this tight.”
But just when it seemed the Wild might snatch a late point, Ottawa struck back in ruthless fashion. Forbes turned provider this time, cutting in from the right and sliding in a low cross for Golen to score – restoring the two-goal cushion just four minutes after conceding.
Calgary pushed once more in stoppage time with captain Meggie Dougherty Howard forcing a diving save from Mollie Eriksson on a 30-yard effort.
But by then, Ottawa had already done the damage.
The result leaves Calgary clinging to fourth spot, level on points with Vancouver but ahead on goal differential. Their nine-day break couldn’t come at a better time.
“The coaches talked to us about detail in passing and technical execution,” O’Neill added. “You could see some of our touches were off. Coming back refreshed and sharp will be key if we want to compete for 90 minutes in games like this.”
