Montréal Roses kept their perfect start to the season going on Sunday, outlasting AFC Toronto 1-0 at BMO Field thanks to another late bit of class from Elyse Bennett.

For most of the game, it looked like Toronto would be the side to break through. The hosts controlled much of the first half, pressing aggressively and forcing Montreal into uncomfortable areas in possession. Anna Karpenko was there to shut out Toronto at every opportunity. The Roses goalkeeper produced a series of important saves to keep the match level heading into halftime, preserving her clean sheet as Montreal struggled to settle into any rhythm.

Toronto carried that momentum into the second half, continuing to pin Montreal back and dictate the pace without finding the finish their performance deserved. After the match, AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanović admitted the result was difficult to accept given his side’s overall performance.

“I thought we played well enough to score one, maybe even two goals,” Milanović said. “Tough one, definitely, because I thought we deserved more, but at the same time, you have to take your chances.”

The pressure from Toronto never really disappeared, and Milanović remained encouraged by the opportunities his team continued to create despite being held scoreless.

"As long as we're creating chances, we're going to score goals. I'm sure.”

Montreal, meanwhile, stayed patient. Head coach Robert Rositoiu turned to his bench in the 69th minute, introducing Evelyn Badu, Olivia MBala and Lorie Thibault in a triple substitution that shifted the energy of the game.

Sunday also marked Badu’s NSL debut. The Ghana international and former CAF Women’s Champions League Player of the Tournament made an immediate impact as Montreal began to grow into the match late on.

Then came the breakthrough.

With just two minutes left in regulation, Bennett found the decisive moment once again. The forward struck late to hand Montreal their third straight victory and move to four goals on the season, keeping her at the top of the NSL scoring charts.

Elyse Bennett gets in on goal and buries the winner in the dying minutes in Toronto 😱 pic.twitter.com/HpOsUC6eD2

— Northern Super League (@NorthernSuperLg) May 10, 2026

Despite the result, there were positives for Toronto. Milanović singled out Kaylee Hunter for praise after what he described as her strongest performance of the campaign.

“I think today was her best game this year,” he said. “She showed everyone how good of a player she was last year, and she's better this year.”

He also highlighted the contribution of Lauren Rowe, who earned her first start of the season.

“I thought she had a lot of energy. I thought she did some good things.”

For Danielle Krzyzaniak, making her first start of the year was another encouraging sign despite the disappointment of the scoreline.

"I felt calm and good. The girls were nothing but supportive with that,” Krzyzaniak said. “It felt good, but hope to get the result next time.”

The physical edge of the Toronto-Montreal rivalry was also on display throughout the afternoon, something Colby Barnett acknowledged after the final whistle.

“I think anytime we play Montreal, it's always a pretty physical battle.”

Still, Montreal’s defensive resilience ultimately proved decisive. Karpenko finished with seven saves and a third consecutive clean sheet as the Roses improved to 3-0-0 to begin the campaign.

Rositoiu praised his side’s ability to withstand pressure and adapt as the match unfolded.

“The opponent challenged us with their high press, particularly in the first half,” he said. “In the second, the players were able to build out from the back more cleanly while staying very strong defensively. The entire team kept working to win this match, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to build.”

The Roses now head to Calgary next weekend before returning home to face Vancouver Rise FC on May 30 at Stade Boréale.