AFC Toronto, Montreal Roses FC, Northern Super League

Okoronkwo Helps AFC Toronto Earn a Spot in the NSL Final

raheemfarhanbashir
AFC Toronto Forward, Esther Okoronkwo at York Lions Stadium

ANALYSIS – AFC Toronto earns its spot in the NSL Final as it won 4-1 at York Lions Stadium and won 6-1 in aggregate to eliminate the Montreal Roses FC from the NSL playoffs.

Today, the game was about Esther Okoronkwo, as she scored a hat-trick to help her team advance in the NSL playoffs. There were also other players who stepped up for AFC Toronto.

Esther Okoronkwo is a Big Reason Why AFC Toronto is in the NSL Final

Esther Okoronkwo Scores a Hat-Trick

Today, Okoronkwo stepped up in probably AFC Toronto’s biggest game this year. Her first goal came largely thanks to a fantastic cross-field pass from Victoria Pickett. Then, Kaylee Hunter, to her credit, saw Okoronkwo, who delivered for her team.

Okoronkwo had another great chance to score as Hunter delivered her the ball, but she was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, as it looked like she was going for the pass instead of just shooting the ball.
This is what Marko Milanović, the AFC Toronto head coach, said about Okoronkwo’s performance as well as the team, according to the AFC Toronto YouTube Account:

“It was a complete team effort. The work up top from [Kaylee Hunter], alongside Esther, was incredible until she came off, and she was the one who set up that first goal as well. As for Esther, we know what she’s capable of. She’s a big-time player who always delivers in big moments – we saw it at the Africa Cup of Nations, and now again in this semifinal. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in the final, too.”

Hunter also played well as she took the ball from a Montreal player in the first half. It also shows what some of these players can do for AFC Toronto.

READ MORE: Esther Okoronkwo: AFC Toronto’s Leading Goal Scorer

AFC Toronto Was Relentless In Their Pursuit of Goals

AFC Toronto, especially in the first half, did not give the Montreal Roses FC any time to rest. In fact, even though Montreal gave up three goals in the first half, the Roses FC goalkeeper, Anna Karpenko, had to make two big saves. These were:

  • Preventing Okoronkwo from scoring a fourth goal.
  • Stopping Lauren Rowe’s shot with a diving save.

All this highlighted the AFC’s dominance, and when the second half started, the game felt like it was already over. It is also a big credit to AFC Toronto’s performances in both legs of the NSL playoffs against the Montreal Roses FC.

Montreal Roses FC Did Not Get A Shot on Goal in the First Half

Being two goals down because of last week’s loss at the Stade Boréale, the Roses needed to have a positive start to have a chance to advance to the NSL Final. They were unable to do that, and that was a big reason why they did not advance in the NSL playoffs. They did have chances in the second half, though, including:

  • Tanya Boychuk got a pass from Mégane Sauvé to score a goal in the second half.
  • Noémi Paquin had the Roses FC’s first-ever shot on goal.

It was too little, too late; however, the second half showed that Montreal had some life. It will be interesting to see what next year will bring to the Roses as they will have a co-tenant at the Stade Boréale with Canadian Premier League (CPL) side, FC Supra du Québec.

READ MORE: Kaylee Hunter: Promising Canadian Teenager for AFC Toronto

Other Factors: AFC Toronto With the Right Mindset

The famous snowbank celebration by Okoronkwo explained the Monday night game for AFC Toronto. It was a dominant performance by AFC, as the AFC Toronto captain, Emma Regan, said this after the game to Ashley Docking, according to the Northern Super League (NSL) X Account:

“No matter the conditions, no matter the opponent, we’re coming out with the same fire and intensity every game.”

This will be their mindset heading into the NSL Final on Saturday. After winning the NSL Supporters’ Shield, they will look to collect two trophies this year on the biggest stage.

They also want to get their first win at BMO Field. They have played twice at the venue, against the Montreal Roses FC and the Vancouver Rise FC, but lost both games. This is what Marković said about that, according to the AFC Toronto YouTube Account:

“We really wanted desperately to go back to that field, because that’s one stadium we haven’t won at, this year.”

READ MORE: Victoria Pickett: AFC Toronto’s Technical Midfielder

NSL Final Coming Up

READ MORE: Cloey Uddenberg: An Important Ontario Player for AFC Toronto

AFC Toronto will host the Vancouver Rise FC at BMO Field. A rematch of the game back in August, AFC will look to come out on top. The Vancouver Rise FC came out on top of the semi-final in a closely contested two-legged semi-final, which was won in a penalty shootout against the Ottawa Rapid FC.

Photo provided by AFC Toronto on November 10, 2025.

Related Posts