The Vancouver Rise have secured a spot in the first Northern Super League Final by triumphing over the Ottawa Rapid in a shootout on Saturday. Sofia Hagman’s crucial penalty in the sixth round of kicks sealed the victory for Vancouver after Ottawa’s Julia Benati missed her spot kick, saved by Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan.
McAslan displayed exceptional skill with two key penalty saves during the shootout, denying Susanne Haaland and Benati. Latifah Abdu’s successful penalty kick kept Vancouver in the game, setting the stage for Hagman’s decisive goal.
Ottawa initially held a lead with goals from Delaney Baie Pridham and Melanie Forbes, going up 2-0 in the match and 3-2 on aggregate. However, Holly Ward’s 85th-minute goal for Vancouver leveled the score, leading to extra time.
Rapid’s head coach, Katrine Pederson, expressed mixed emotions after the intense match, praising her team’s efforts despite the heartbreaking loss. Vancouver, who entered the second leg with a 2-1 advantage, dominated the game statistically, showcasing superior possession, shots on target, and passing accuracy compared to Ottawa.
With their place secured in the NSL Final on November 15, the Rise will face the winner of the AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses semifinal. Toronto currently leads 2-0 on aggregate. Rapid’s captain, Desiree Scott, announced her retirement post-match, with an attendance of 3,068 spectators.
