Chisholm's first professional goal gives AFC Toronto first NSL championship

OTTAWA · AFC Toronto captured its first Northern Super League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Roses on Saturday. The deciding goal came from 17-year-old midfielder Olivia Chisholm, who scored her first professional goal in the 39th minute at TD Place. The win provided redemption for Toronto after it lost last year's final to the Vancouver Rise. "It feels really special to score my first goal in this final," said Chisholm. "Pretty good time to score and to celebrate with all my teammates and coaching staff."

Chisholm found the net after teammate Lauren Rowe beat a defender and sent a pass from near the endline. Chisholm had space near the top of the box and side-footed a shot past the outstretched arms of Montreal goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert. "I saw Lauren had the ball, and she took a bit of a bigger touch," Chisholm said. "But I know with her speed that she was going to get there, and their whole backline kind of just dropped off so I knew that the space was there for me."

Montreal, which finished first overall to win the Supporters' Shield, entered the final on a 12-game unbeaten streak. The Roses pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, generating 14 shots. Lisa Pechersky challenged Toronto keeper Sabrina D'Angelo early in the half and had another chance in the 73rd minute, but D'Angelo made the save. Montreal's Gabrielle Lambert also made key stops, including one on Kaylee Hunter and another on Shelina Zadorsky in the 54th minute.

READ MORE: Sargent's late winner lifts Toronto FC over D.C. United

READ MORE: Toronto FC shuts out New York Red Bulls to snap winless streak

Toronto finished third in the regular season and advanced to the final after an 8-2 aggregate semifinal win over Ottawa. Montreal had beaten Vancouver 5-2 on aggregate in the other semifinal. Garbutt Disposal reported in November that the Roses ousted the reigning champion Vancouver Rise to reach the final. Toronto was 1-2-2 against Montreal during the regular season, with neither team scoring more than two goals in any of those matches.

"I mean, obviously last year didn't go our way, so this year means so much," said Toronto's Nikayla Small. Montreal midfielder Charlotte Bilbault said her team can build from the experience. "Things didn't go the way we wanted today and it's difficult," said Bilbault. "We can be proud of the season we had, our last few games and we're going to lean on that next year when we get started because we can build off what we learned."

With files from CBC News, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail