Montréal Roses FC delivered a sparkling performance on Saturday, spoiling Calgary’s Pride Match with a commanding 5-0 win at McMahon Stadium. In front of a vibrant, rainbow-draped crowd, the Roses struck early, controlled possession, and piled on goals in a statement victory that vaulted them into second place in the Northern Super League standings.

The night began in a celebratory spirit, with fans waving Pride flags and creating a lively, inclusive atmosphere that brought colour and energy to the stadium. But once the whistle blew, Montréal seized control and never let go, silencing the home fans with a relentless attacking display. The result was a dream for the Roses, who showcased their depth with five different goal-scorers,  including three players netting their first NSL goals,  while Calgary endured a frustrating night where nothing seemed to click.

Dream Start for Montréal
It took less than two minutes for the visitors to quiet the festivities. Off a well-worked set piece, Stéphanie Hill rose above her marker to power a header past the Calgary keeper, giving Montréal a lightning-fast 1-0 lead and setting the tone for the evening.

Calgary tried to settle into the match, buoyed by their crowd’s support, but Montréal kept pressing. In the 18th minute, a dangerous chance initially went begging when Tanya Boychuk’s shot was saved, but Claire Monyard pounced on the rebound to bury her first-ever NSL goal and double the lead. The Roses continued to threaten, and while no more goals came before halftime, the visitors went into the break firmly in control and brimming with confidence.

Second-Half Showcase
Montréal’s momentum carried straight into the second half. In the 51st minute, Monyard turned provider, slipping a precise pass to Boychuk, who finished clinically to make it 3-0. The goal all but sealed the result, but Montréal weren’t done.

In the 75th minute, substitute Félicia Roy won the ball high up the pitch and calmly squared it to Noémi Paquin, who rifled home her first NSL goal to stretch the lead further. Just seven minutes later, Paquin turned playmaker, threading a pass to Lorie Thibault, who converted with confidence for her own debut goal, capping off a night of celebration for the Roses.

Calgary mounted a few late pushes, but the visitors stayed organized and denied any chance of a comeback. The final whistle confirmed a dominant display that underlined Montréal’s resurgence in the playoff race and left the Pride Night crowd applauding both teams’ efforts despite the lopsided scoreline.

Match Stats

• Possession: Montréal dictated the flow with 57% of the ball, forcing Calgary to chase for long stretches.
• Total Shots: The Roses peppered the Calgary goal with 18 attempts, compared to just 5 from the hosts.
• Passing Accuracy: Montréal’s crisp 82% passing kept them composed and dangerous in every phase of play.

Looking Ahead
The emphatic win lifts Montréal (9-6-5, 32 points) into second place, leapfrogging Vancouver and keeping them within striking distance of top-of-the-table Toronto. The Roses will now return home to host Halifax Tides FC on September 18, looking to build on this dominant display and tighten their grip on a playoff spot.

For Calgary (6-12-2, 20 points), the result was a setback in front of their home crowd and leaves them still searching for consistency. They’ll stay at McMahon Stadium for another crucial matchup against Ottawa Rapid FC on September 17 as they try to keep their postseason hopes alive.

For full match statistics, lineups, and a detailed play-by-play, visit the official NSL match page.