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Photo Credit: John Jacques
AFC Toronto 0-3 Vancouver: Rise Prevail On the Road
By In what is becoming a budding rivalry in the Northern Super League, matches between AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise never seem to disappoint.
Saturday’s match at York Lions Stadium was no different, with last year’s playoff winners coming on top 3-0 versus the defending regular season victors.
The Torontonians lost to the Ottawa Rapid 2-1 at home last weekend, ending a run of five matches without defeat. There were two changes made to the starting eleven, ahead of this match, both of which were forced. Sofia Manner’s time at the club is over, with Sierra Cota-Yarde going back in goal. April Lantaigne was the other player making her way into the team, replacing the suspended Colby Barnett.
The Rise headed into Toronto after playing two away matches in a row. Their most recent clash ended in a 4-2 victory at the Calgary Wild, which put a four-game winless skid to a close. Four was also the number of changes Anja Heiner-Moller made to her team in their match on Saturday.
It only took just 66 seconds for the first goal to be scored, as the Rise pounced early to go in front. Quinn played a key role here, as they received a pass from Jessica De Filippo before playing a perfect first-time cross to Anna Bout, who turned it home.
Seven minutes later, and it was 2-0. Once again, Quinn was the one to make the cross, with the Rise captain finding De Filippo on another pinpoint pass. The attacker made no mistake with her header, powering it past Cota-Yarde to stun the Toronto crowd.
And things got even uglier for AFC Toronto, as just four minutes after going down two, they gave up another. This time, it came from a corner, where Camila Reyes picked out Tori Tumeth, who beat her marker to head it into the bottom corner.
The visitors were firmly on top at York University, and almost added a fourth moments later. Bout went for goal from quite a way out, but her shot came off the bar and stayed out. Cota-Yarde was completely beaten again, but could count herself lucky not to concede there.
Toronto started to come into the match after that chance, and looked to turn things around. They had their first big chance half an hour in when Kaylee Hunter played Lauren Rowe through. The latter’s toe poke of an attempt went straight at a sprawling Morgan McAslan.
Just before the break, Lantaigne tried her luck on a free kick from distance. However, McAslan got herself across her goal to make a diving stop. It was one of three saves she ended up making in the opening half.
There was more from the hosts after the interval, having finally gotten themselves into the contest. Hunter was involved in many of their attacks, and perhaps had their best chance. Having created the space, the attacker went for goal, but slipped while creating her effort. The ball ultimately went wide of the goal.
The match had a brief stop midway through the second half as there was an advisory due to the air quality. In total, it was halted for about 10 minutes as the players received instructions from their coaches while having some refreshments.
Little changed after that, with Toronto continuing to try and get on the board. Substitute Jordan Brewster broke free and tried to test McAslan, but she was also unable to remain balanced as her shot had little power on it.
The result meant the Rise finally managed a clean sheet at the 12th time of asking. With their second win over Toronto this year, they jump into third spot on 16 points. Next for them is a return to Swangard Stadium to face the Halifax Tides on Friday.
As for AFC Toronto, they fall to fourth spot, though they have played a game less. Currently on 15 points, they will look to bounce back on Thursday in Quebec as Marko Milanovic’s side faces the Montreal Roses.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques
