Latifah Abdu netted two goals in the opening half to propel Vancouver Rise to a 2-1 victory over Ottawa Rapid FC in the first leg of the Northern Super League semifinal held on Tuesday. Ottawa’s Delaney Pridham cut the lead in the second half, setting up the second leg at Ottawa’s TD Place on Saturday.
In the other semifinal clash, AFC Toronto, the league leaders, will face off against the Montreal Roses. Toronto heads into the second leg on Sunday with a 2-0 advantage from the previous match.
The winners of the semifinals, determined by the aggregate score, will progress to the championship match scheduled for November 15 at Toronto’s BMO Field, where the first champion of the new Canadian women’s professional soccer league will be crowned.
Abdu capitalized on a defensive error by Ottawa in the 14th minute, seizing the opportunity as Ottawa’s goalkeeper, Melissa Dagenais, attempted a pass from the box at Swangard Stadium.
Abdu doubled her tally in the 21st minute with a well-timed strike, creating space to slot home a left-footed shot. Pridham reduced the deficit in the 66th minute, skillfully maneuvering past Vancouver defender Rebecca Lake to score with a precise left-footed finish past Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan.
Pridham, the leading goal scorer in the NSL’s inaugural season with 19 goals, notched her first playoff goal in the match.
Ottawa coach Katrine Pederson expressed dissatisfaction with her team’s first-half performance, acknowledging Vancouver’s dominance and the challenges they faced. Pederson noted a significant improvement in the team’s mindset and performance in the second half, creating opportunities and finding the back of the net.
