Esther Okoronkwo has successfully led AFC Toronto to the Northern Super League inaugural championship game by scoring three goals within the first 26 minutes of Monday’s semifinal match against Montreal Roses. The 28-year-old attacker’s outstanding performance, alongside a goal from Lauren Rowe in the 83rd minute, secured a 4-1 victory for Toronto, resulting in a 6-1 two-leg aggregate win.
The Roses managed to score a goal through Tanya Boychuk in the 74th minute. Toronto will now face Vancouver Rise in the NSL Final at BMO Field on Saturday, after Vancouver secured a 5-4 victory over Ottawa on penalties following a 3-3 aggregate tie in their semifinal series.
Due to inclement weather and heavy snowfall in Toronto, the second game of the Toronto-Montreal series was postponed from Sunday to Monday. Okoronkwo, who had an impressive regular season with eight goals and eight assists, displayed her skills by scoring in the seventh minute, adding two more goals in quick succession, thus completing a hat trick by the 26th minute.
Toronto coach Marko Milanović praised the team’s collective effort and highlighted Okoronkwo’s performance as crucial in securing the victory. Midfielder Nikki Small emphasized the importance of simplicity in playing in snowy conditions, focusing on direct play and quick adaptation due to the slippery surface.
The first leg of the semifinal ended with Toronto winning 2-0 at Stade Boréale in Laval, Que., with goals from Small and Hunter. The team’s solid performance throughout the series has now set them up for an exciting final showdown against Vancouver Rise.