Roses snap AFC's win streak with 2-1 away victory

Montreal Roses FC players celebrate a win against AFC Toronto at York Lions Stadium on July 18, 2025. (MATTHEW JOSEPH/INTERMISSION SPORTS)

By Eli Silverstone

Photos by Matthew Joseph

In a matchup between the top two teams of the Northern Super League table, the Montreal Roses walked into the top ranked AFC Toronto’s home stadium and defeated them 2-1 on Friday evening at York Lions Stadium (YLS). 

Toronto’s five-game win streak was snapped as Montreal took control from start to finish. The Roses dominated the first half before burying a 69th minute goal to take a commanding 2-0 lead. AFC made it interesting with a late goal but it was too little, too late. 

“Today I just really want to give it up to the players because they showed that when you think you have a limit, you push it and you discover new highs,” said Montreal head coach Robert Rositoiu about his squad’s ability to walk into the top seeded team’s home stadium and succeed.

The first step to their eventual win was a goal by attacker Latifah Abdu on a broken down play where a three-way collision between Roses midfielder Alexandria Hess, Toronto goalkeeper Sofia Manner and a defender left Abdu with a wide open net to tap the ball into. 

“We were together today. Everybody fought as hard as we could until the final whistle and that's when we win games—when we are together,” said Abdu. 

Coming out of the half, Toronto started putting some pressure on Montreal. After being outshot 9-4 in the first half and losing the possession battle, Toronto worked desperately to find the equalizer. 

The only thing holding them back from finding the back of the net was a stout defence from Montreal’s midfielders and defenders. Whenever it looked like AFC had an opening to fit a through ball in or had a promising cross, the ball was always cleared.

“I thought we played more soccer in the first five minutes of the second half then we did the entire first half,” said AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanovic. “We were very open and disconnected in the first half today.”

In likely the most critical moment of the game and with her team on a roll, AFC attacker Lauren Rowe—who scored the game-winning goal against Halifax Tides FC on Tuesday—fell and went down in pain in Montreal's box. The play continued and about 70 meters down the field from her, Montreal midfielder Megan Sauve launched a wondrous strike from outside the box into the top right corner of the net. The combination of Rowe going down and Montreal going up 2-0 with 20 minutes left to play sucked the life out of the stadium.

“You take your shot and hope for the best and that’s just what I did. I’m just happy I contributed,” said Sauve. 

Just when all hope seemed to be lost for Toronto, hometown midfielder Victoria Pickett decided to one-up Sauve, scoring from even further out than the Montreal midfielder did. A 78th minute strike brought the crowd right back into the game. 

“Victoria’s first goal of the season was super cool to see. Unfortunately under the circumstances we couldn’t celebrate it for too long,” said AFC midfielder Nikayla Small. “That gave us the confidence that we could get back into the game.”

While the pushback was not enough to get AFC past the Roses staunch defending to the final buzzer, Pickett’s goal was a standout moment of the match.

“That might be Victoria’s new thing, scoring from half,” said Toronto left back Colby Barnett. 

Barnett was playing in her first game since receiving a contract extension from AFC Toronto that will keep her with the club until after the 2027 season. 

“Its a huge honor, there’s honestly no words to describe it, I just I feel so honored that they have the trust in me to sign an extension”, said Barnett. 

Her coach, meanwhile, offered lofty but straightforward praise.

“Best left back in the league,” said Milanovic. 

Toronto will now head on a four game road trip before returning home on Aug. 17 for a match at BMO Field against Vancouver Rise FC. During the game, Northern Super League (NSL) founder Diana Matheson announced that three months after that match, the NSL final will take place on Nov. 15, 2025 also at BMO Field. It will either be neutral ground or a heavy home field advantage if Toronto makes it all the way to the inaugural championship match. 

“To hear that the final is going to be played at one of the great stadiums that this country has to offer just shows the way this league is going. It started very well and it's going to end very well,” said Rositoiu. 

UP NEXT: AFC Toronto will now kick off the longest road trip of their season as they travel to Willoughby Community Park and face Vancouver Rise FC on Thursday, July 24. Kick-off is set for 10 p.m. EST.