The Vancouver Rise FC are the winners of the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup.<\/p>\n
The Rise FC defeated AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League finals 2-1 at BMO Field in Toronto Saturday (Nov. 15).<\/p>\n
Vancouver Rise are part of Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, the Northern Super League. The other clubs are Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montréal Roses, Ottawa Rapid FC and AFC Toronto.<\/p>\n
The Rise FC defeated the Ottawa Rapid FC in the semifinals and the AFC Toronto beat the Montreal Roses.<\/p>\n
The Rise FC held possession 50 per cent of the time, taking eight shots, three of which were on goal, while AFC Toronto took 16 shots, 8 of which were on goal.<\/p>\n
AFC Toronto’s Kaylee Hunter had the first goal of the match in the 19th minute. A weather delay was called around the 36th minute due to thunder and lightning in the area.<\/p>\n
The two teams returned to play after the 30-minute delay.<\/p>\n
Just after half, in the 53rd minute, Rise FC’s Nikki Stanton made a corner kick that made a deflection off of AFC Toronto’s Sierra Yarde and into the goal, tying up the match 1-1.<\/p>\n
In the 67th minute, Rise FC captain Samantha Chang sent the ball forward to Holly Ward, who scored and brought Rise FC up 2-1.<\/p>\n
Both teams fought hard throughout the game, but when the whistle blew in the 90+5 minutes, Vancouver Rise FC were declared the 2025 Northern Super League champions.<\/p>\n
Ward told a reporter after the match what it felt like to score that championship-winning goal.<\/p>\n
“It feels so good, honestly, I am slightly overwhelmed,” Ward said. “I’m just so happy and honoured to be a part of this team and a part of this inaugural season.”<\/p>\n
Rise FC’s goal Morgan McAslan won the 2025 NSL final MVP, which was given to the player who has the most outstanding performance for their team during the Final.”<\/p>\n
Rise FC head coach Anja Heiner-Møller said her team has fought its way back time and again throughout the season, including in the semifinals and finals.<\/p>\n
“The resilience of this team is just amazing,” Heiner-Møller said. “So to come back from that and finish up with a 2-1 win, I’m just so proud of the team.”<\/p>\n
Interim Sporting Director, Robyn Gayle said, “Lifting the first NSL Cup is a special milestone for our club.”<\/p>\n
“Every 90 minutes on the pitch is a product of the hours, days, weeks, and months of commitment invested away from it. I want to thank our players, our staff, everyone behind the scenes, our fans, the Crows, and all who have supported us in our journey to this moment.”<\/p>\n