AFC Toronto claimed a thrilling 3-2 road win over Vancouver Rise FC on Tuesday night, as an early strike and a pair of first-half goals proved just enough to fend off a spirited late push from the home side at Swangard Stadium.

Fast Start from Toronto

Toronto wasted no time getting on the board, with Emma Regan opening the scoring in the 2nd minute. The right back pounced on a loose ball in the box and buried a composed finish to give the visitors a dream start.

The pressure continued late into the first half. Kaylee Hunter doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a clinical right-footed strike from the heart of the area, capping a well-worked sequence that carved open the Vancouver back line.

Trading Blows

Vancouver pulled one back midway through the second half, when Mariah Lee rose highest in the 68th minute to nod home a pinpoint cross from substitute Soumah, giving the Swangard crowd something to cheer about and narrowing the score to 2-1.

But Toronto responded quickly. Just five minutes later, Nikayla Small restored the two-goal cushion with a calm finish inside the box, capitalizing on another fast transition and a precise assist from Hunter.

Late Drama

The closing stages saw Vancouver push numbers forward in search of a lifeline. Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time, as Quinn converted a penalty in the 90+8th minute after drawing a foul inside the area. The midfielder made no mistake from the spot, sending Toronto keeper Sofia Manner the wrong way to make it 3-2.

Despite the late momentum shift, Toronto held firm through the final seconds to claim all three points in a statement away performance.

Match Stats

• Possession: Toronto edged the ball with 52%, while Vancouver held 48%.
• Total Shots: Both sides registered 11 total shots, with Toronto managing 5 on target to Vancouver’s 4.
• Passing Accuracy: Toronto completed 356 passes at 83% accuracy, while Vancouver completed 336 at 82%.

Looking Ahead

The win lifts AFC Toronto to 4-3-1 on the season, keeping them well within striking distance of the top of the table and will look to carry the momentum to Calgary this weekend, meeting in the Rockies on June 14. Vancouver, now sitting at 3-4-2, will look to regroup as they prepare for a tough test at home against Montréal Roses FC on Saturday, June 22.

For full match stats, lineups, and play-by-play coverage, visit the official NSL game page.

Want more from the Northern Super League? Sign up for The North Star - your all-access pass to the latest league news, club updates, exclusive stories, merch drops, and more. Join the mailing list and never miss a moment!