Around the NSL: Okoronkwo strike, Roses flawless, Matheson’s hotline

Welcome to View from Row Z, where yours truly will bring you the highlights and storylines from the week that was in the Northern Super League.

For those new to the footy circuit, “Row Z” is a play on the last row of seats in a stadium, as in, “she launched the ball all the way into Row Z.” And, since Manitoba doesn’t have an NSL team — yet — my view of the league really is that physically far away in our Gateway to the West city.

And for those new to the league, the NSL is the first women’s pro soccer league in Canada. The league is celebrating its second season after a successful first year in 2025 which saw Vancouver Rise FC win the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup on Nov. 15.

Matheson — a national powerhouse in her own right — is the league’s founder, and Winnipegger Christina Litz serves as the league’s president. Oh, and the best soccer player in the world — literally — Christine Sinclair played a key role in the league’s development. Sinclair is as a co-owner of the Rise.

The six-team league is compromised of, from west to east, Vancouver, Calgary Wild FC, AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid FC, Montreal Roses FC and Halifax Tides FC. Winnipeg’s own Desiree (The Destroyer) Scott retired from the Rapid last season.

With all that in the books, let’s look back at the week that was in the league that’s built different, by design.

Highlight of the week

If defeating the reigning champion Rise wasn’t enough of a highlight to officially kick off the NSL’s second season, AFC Toronto did it in style.

After the Mighty Maroons — sporting blue Skyward kits — opened the scoring early in the match, the Rise stormed back with two goals before halftime. Toronto answered back in the 60th minute.

Enter game-winning hero Esther Okoronkwo with a strike off a corner kick in the 71st minute. Toronto held on for the win and early season bragging rights.

First shutout of the season

The opening weekend — which saw all six teams in action — already had its first shutout. The Montreal Roses dealt the Calgary Wild the goose egg. Elyse Bennett had both goals with goalkeeper and Richmond Hill, Ont., product Anna Karpenko earning the shutout.

The Halifax Tides notched its first win of the season in the earlier game Saturday, downing the Ottawa Rapid 3-1.

Game schedule hotline

In full 1980s television commercial style, the league announced a game schedule hotline via video last week where fans can phone a number — yes, a real telephone number — where Matheson’s pre-recorded messages will greet you to let you know where to watch the games.

The number, 1-833-NSL-LIVE (675-5483), has a tagline of, “No apps. No scrolling. Just Diana Matheson vibes.”

Give it a ring. You won’t regret it.

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Game to watch in Week 2

All eyes are on the Vancouver Rise to see how the club bounces back from the first loss of the year, especially since the team takes on the Roses (6 p.m. CT, TSN).

Montreal is the only team to boast a clean record on the stat sheets. If there’s a team to spoil that, it’s the reigning champ Rise.

winnipegfreepress.com/graceannepaizen

Grace Anne Paizen
Sports Editor

Grace oversees the team that produces sports journalism for the Free Press.