Ottawa Rapid extend NSL unbeaten streak with 2-1 win over Calgary Wild FC

CALGARY – Ottawa Rapid FC extended its unbeaten run in the Northern Super League to eight straight games with a 2-1 win over host Calgary Wild FC on Wednesday.

Second-half substitute Johanne Fridlund scored the winner in the 72nd minute for Ottawa (10-2-1), which won a fourth straight match in the women’s pro soccer league and moved seven points clear of the Montreal Roses atop the standings. 

“We played a good first half, we created chances, we could go around them,” said Ottawa head coach Katrine Pederson. “Second half, we let them into the game. We made it harder than it had to be. 

“We lost the rhythm on the ball and when we gave them more initiative, they looked better. We managed anyway to create chances, which we are very happy about.”

Fridlund, from the side of the penalty area, fired the ball past Wild defenders and Calgary keeper Katelin Talbert.

Keera Melenhorst gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute at McMahon Stadium. 

She punished a Wild defensive giveaway and carried the ball back to score her fourth goal against Calgary this season. 

“I’m just happy to capitalize on my chances when the opportunities present themselves,” Melenhorst said. “I’m scoring off our press, and capitalizing on their mistakes. 

“As a front-five collective, we were able to force those mistakes. Happy to capitalize on that and put us up moving into the half.”

Kahli Johnson tied the game with a header in the 50th minute for Calgary (0-10-2), still seeking its first win this season.

“I’m a competitor so I always want to come away with a win,” said Wild coach Leah Blayney, who joined the club last week. 

“That’s important to me, but we are asking a group of players to apply tactical information in a short amount of time so I’m very pleased with the group’s receptiveness to what we are trying to do.

“I’m going to say the same thing for a little while. We are just concerned with making those little improvements game by game. The bigger picture of this is we are getting better each game.”

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Ottawa carried the advantage in possession (57 per cent), shots (18-11) on-target shots (7-3) and corner kicks (8-0).

Up next:

Calgary: Visits AFC Toronto on Tuesday.

Ottawa: Visits Halifax Wanderers on Aug. 3.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.