Week 23 in the NSL, and the hits keep on coming as we move towards the finals. We are only a few weeks from the regular season, and as of Sunday, three teams have clinched a playoff berth.
It was a huge week for players Lena Silano of AFC Toronto and Gabrielle Lambert of the Montreal Roses, two players who both put their bodies on the line and showed that commitment wins.
AFC Toronto 3-0 Ottawa Rapid (September 26)
AFC Toronto was back at full tilt this weekend with the return of Kaylee Hunter, who has proven again and again to be formidable, especially when paired with Lauren Rowe. However, for the Ottawa Rapids, things were looking up with DB Pridham returning from injury. From the get-go, both sides looked formidable.
First half - AFC Toronto started off aggressively, putting themselves right in front of the Rapids' goal. An AFC corner kick led to an early shot from Nikki Smalls that went over the goal, which was lucky for Ottawa as it was a wide-open shot. In return, the Ottawa Rapids had their own off-target shot from Sadie Wakes, with Kaylee Hunter playing close defence. Shelina Zadorsky passed from distance and placed it in front of Kaylee Hunter, but Ottawa keeper Mollie Erikson stopped it.
Both sides took plenty of off-target shots and had several near misses. Lena Silano broke this streak when she stole the ball from Mollie Erikson and buried it into the goal. It was Silano's first goal of the season and the first of the game, putting AFC Toronto up 1-0 over the Ottawa Rapids.
In the second half, the Ottawa Rapids looked to take control, but three minutes in, Lena Silano took a short pass from Nikki Smalls and buried it in the net. Notably, during those passing seconds, both players on AFC Toronto and Ottawa Rapids hesitated as it seemed a foul might be called on Nikki Smalls, but not in time to stop Lena Silano from scoring again, making it 2-0.
Ottawa Rapids' Keera Mellenhorst drove the ball past Sabrina D'Angelo into the goal at 55 minutes, but that was called back, keeping the score at 2-0. AFC Toronto kept the momentum up, and despite the duels being fought out on the field, the Ottawa Rapids could just not get that ball into the goal.
As the clock whittled down, it was clear the Ottawa Rapids had limited chances; meanwhile, AFC Toronto didn't slow down.
The door was finally shut on the Ottawa Rapids at 77 minutes when Sabrina D'Angelo stopped a shot from Ottawa Rapids' Florence Belzile, and the ball was taken back down the field. Sarah Stratigakis took the final shot of the game, putting it at 3-0.
For AFC Toronto, the day could not have been better as they walked off the field with the second spot in the finals. While the Ottawa Rapids also clinched a playoff spot, they no doubt walked off the field needing to shake off the loss.
However, the story that stands out for this writer is the tale of Lena Silano. Two bold goals and excellent play proved that she who dares, wins.
Halifax Tides 0-0 Montreal Roses (September 27)
The pressure was on for the Halifax Tides as they battled the Vancouver Rise for the last spot in the finals, while the Montreal Roses were fading fast. The Halifax Tides came out with Jordyn Rhodes and Julianne Vallerand ready to lead the way. The Montreal Roses had their usual starters of Lisa Pechersky, Mimi Alidou, Chloe Minas, Charlotte Bilbault and their defensive line, but with a first-time start for Anna Heilferty.
To say this was a rough-and-tumble game is putting it mildly. It was knockdown tackles and pushing all game, with tempers and ambitions high for both teams.
The Halifax Tides were ready to drown out the competition, and early on, the Montreal Roses took knockdowns and suffered injuries. Lisa Pechersky was back and ready to own the net again, and early on she made a shot that bounced off the top of the net. Anna Tóth was on top of it, ready to stop shots from Elyse Bennett and keep the league leaders from scoring.
The first shock of the game came at 23 minutes, when Anna Karpenko came out of the penalty area to drive back a ball and landed hard on her leg, which took her out of the game. Gabrielle Lambert replaced her, playing for the first time all season.
Sensing blood in the water, the Halifax Tides quickly attacked the goal repeatedly and took advantage of every scoring opportunity. It was a true trial by fire as Gabrielle Lambert defended the goal successfully, shot after shot.
The Montreal Roses were clearly rattled by the loss of the stalwart Anna Karpenko, but G. Lambert was clearly ready to prove her mettle in the crucible of the field. Offensively, the Montreal Roses never got the ball in the back of the net, as Halifax played a fierce defensive game with Anika Tóth defending the goal. The first half ended 0-0, with both teams looking for a break.
In the second half, both teams came out on the field, no doubt with battle plans in hand. Ten minutes in and the Halifax Tides were back on the attack. A brilliant moment for G. Lambert: the Halifax Tides drove the ball upfield, and Rhodes tried to mail it in with a headbutt, but G. Lambert had a clear read and positioned herself perfectly to catch it. Back on the other end, Julianne Vallerand and Lisa Pechersky were duelling, and Pechersky just never quite got past.
Proving this was a physical game, Chloe Minas had to change shirts due to a bloodstain earned during play, but in typical Minas fashion, she got right back on the field and was ready to get back into the game. The Montreal Roses recovered their wits and put pressure on Halifax, with Lisa Pechersky, Elyse Bennett, and Mimi Alidou all trying their luck but not managing to get the ball back.
In all, a physical game ended with both sides giving all and coming out tied at 0-0. That said, the story of this game is about the goalie who could: Gabrielle Lambert earned her stripes and proved without a doubt that the Montreal Roses are building a formidable force, with starters and backups all ready to bring out their best.
Calgary Wild 3-1 Vancouver Rise (September 27)
While the Halifax Tides battled the leaders, the Vancouver Rise faced the league's bottom-dwelling Calgary Wild. However, as the last few weeks have shown, you cannot count out the Calgary Wild, and this game underscored that fact in triplicate.
It looked good for the Vancouver Rise from the start. While Sarah Keilty-Dilling for the Calgary Wild stopped early attempts from the Rise, the Vancouver Rise kept the pressure on. Alex Lamontagne was rewarded for her efforts, taking a brilliant shot from distance to score the first goal in the 35th minute. It was a brilliant, bright moment for what would become a difficult game for the Vancouver Rise. The first half ended 0-1 to the Vancouver Rise.
In the second half, riding the high of coming out 1-0, the Vancouver Rise could not afford mistakes. Case in point: Vancouver Rise player Yuka Okamoto tried to steal the ball on the Rise's end of the field, knocked it out, and gave Calgary their first corner kick of the match. Meggie Dougherty Howard took the corner kick and placed it brilliantly, with T. Otto in front of the goal, to equalize at 1-1.
Vancouver Rise's offence never really came together in the second half to score again, and while Jessica Wulf put forth a valiant, fierce effort with strong saves, the Calgary Wild did not hold back. After delivering a beautiful corner kick, Meggie Dougherty Howard had her chance at 56 minutes. Vancouver Rise's No. 25 player, Kaela Hansen, committed a foul by pushing, earning Meggie Dougherty Howard a penalty kick. Dougherty Howard took advantage and nailed it into the net to make it 2-1.
The final blow came in the 64th minute, when Jorian Baucom, known for her clinical, surgical precision, got a chance and slotted it right in front of the Vancouver Rise's goal. Three moments where the Vancouver Rise faltered spelled out their loss and proved again that while the Calgary Wild may be out of the finals, they'll make their mark on how this season ends.
Upcoming week
Just six games remain before the playoffs, and just one spot remains in the berth. All eyes will be on the Halifax Tides and Vancouver Rise, separated by just one point in the standings.
Friday, October 2, 2026
Montreal Roses vs Ottawa Rapid, Stade Boréale
Saturday, October 2, 2026
Halifax Tides vs Calgary Wild, Wanderers Grounds
Sunday, October 4, 2026
AFC Toronto vs Vancouver Rise, York Lions Stadium
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