In the 84th minute, Rise FC's Holly Ward scored, bringing the aggregate score from the two semi final matches to 3-3. (Vancouver Rise FC/ Facebook)
The Vancouver Rise FC are going to the Northern Super League (NSL) finals after a 4-3 win on penalties against the Ottawa Rapid FC Saturday (FC).
The Rapid FC hosted the Rise FC in the second leg of the Northern Super League (NSL) playoffs at TD Place in Ottawa. Rise FC held possession 58 percent of the time and took 30 shots, 11 of which were on goal, while the Rapid FC took 17 shots, eight of which were on goal.
The Rise FC won the first leg of the series 2-1 Tuesday (Nov. 4), giving them a one-point lead going into the second leg.
During the second leg on Saturday, Rapid FC's Delaney Pridham scored the first score of the match in the 27th minute. Several minutes into the second half Melanie Forbes scored the second goal of the match for the Rapids.
In the 84th minute, Rise FC's Holly Ward scored, bringing the aggregate score from the two semi final matches to 3-3.
As the aggregate score was tied at the end of regular time, the teams were forced into tw0 15-minute periods of extra time.
Both teams battled to score during extra time but nothing materialized so they went to penalty shootouts.
Rise FC won 5- 4 on the penalty kicks and with the win they will play the winners of the AFC Toronto/ Montreal Rose FC semifinals.
The Rise FC won the first leg of the series 2-1 Tuesday (Nov. 4), giving them a one-point lead going into the second leg.
AFC Toronto defeated the Montreal Roses FC 2-0 during its first match of the semi-finals. The second match is scheduled for Sunday (Nov. 9) at York Lions Stadium, outside Toronto. The final is scheduled for Nov. 15 at BMO Field in Toronto. Vancouver Rise are part of Canada's first professional women's soccer league, the Northern Super League. The other clubs are Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montréal Roses, Ottawa Rapid FC and AFC Toronto.
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About the Author: Anna Burns
I cover breaking news, health care, women's sports, court and social issues-related topics for the Surrey Now-Leader. [email protected] Follow Anna on Twitter.