The inaugural season of the Northern Super League has been everything soccer fans would want – talented players, gripping games, and stories of victory and defeat playing on the field. The Vancouver Rise put all eyes on them right out of the gate, ready to show what they brought to the pitch.
Lead by coach Anja Heiner-Moller, Rise had the honor of hosting the first game ever NSL match against the Calgary Wild, coached by Lydia Bedford. From the onset of the game, what spectators were treated to was two capable teams looking to solidify their play style and prove that they have what it takes to be a winning team.
For the first game, the Vancouver Rise were on the attack immediately, dominating the midfield with clever foot work, beautiful passing, communication and swift thinking, putting the Calgary on the defense. The Calgary Wild gave absolutely as good as they got, turning the tables in their favour with strong interceptions and challenges through out the game. As the teams worked back and forth on the field, it was palpable that every inch gained was earned.
Right from the get go, Holly Ward and Jasmyne Spencer stood out – Holly Ward’s tenacity in taking the ball upfield, and Jasmyne Spencer’s fleet footed dashes and quick placement made both essential to the Rise’s strategy. Not to be forgotten however, goalie Morgan McAslan, after a perhaps nervous start, was on point through the night with gloves of glue.
In contrast, the Wild’s strategy was effective in warding off much of the Rise’s attacks, with a woman to woman defensive style that never gave much breathing room for the Rise. Meikayla Moore and Stephanie Bukovec formed a strong defense, backed up by Grace Stordy.
Despite numerous attacks taken by both sides, the downfall of the Wild came twenty minutes into the first half from a foul from Meikayla Moore. Quinn was given the opportunity for the first penalty kick and they used it well. Luring Stephanie Bukovec to the right side of the goal, Quinn landed the goal neatly into the net, making the historic first goal of the Northern Super League, leading up to the first historic win for the NSL and the Vancouver Rise.
The second game versus the Montreal Roses, however, highlighted the flaws in the Rise’s tactics. While the Rise demonstrated the ability to hold on to possession in the first game, the Roses, lead by coach Robert Rositoiu, were able to get the Rise snagged on their thorns. Coming out of the gate and immediately taking control of the game, the Montreal Roses demonstrated quickly that they were ready to diffuse the Rise’s midfield tactics, and keeping them from successfully moving up field. While the Rise could certainly get possession at the ball – in fact possession by half time was nearly 50% shared – it was attempting to get up the field that was the challenge with 0 shots made on goal. What was seen in the second game was not a lack of talent – far from. Quinn, Jasmyne Spencer, Holly Ward – all put on strong performances – but where the team faltered was backing up that talent. There were painfully moments of seeing Quinn pass up the field for there to simply be no one there to receive it, and points of seeing Holly Ward without anyone to take on the challenge of multiple players.
Frustratingly, this was also on the defensive end where Morgan McAslan would find herself defending the goal on her own without her team – indeed, it seemed that the Vancouver Rise would get stuck in the middle – unable to move forward, up the field or back to guard their goal.
When Hailey Whittaker made the first goal, the Rise only became more entrenched in the Rose’s strategy. Hailey Whitaker’s goal was quickly followed by Alexandra Hess’s and then followed by Latifah Abdu, without the Vancouver Rise having one good shot. What stood out was the strong potential Lisa Pechersky showed, but without the courage to really push to challenge the defense on her own, and her game ending regretfully with a rolled ankle and Jessica De Filippo taking her place.
Second half of the game, the Vancouver Rise came out with a much stronger showing in terms of attack, but at the visible sacrifice of any defense. However, the Rise were able to more reliably get the ball up field, with the pay off coming in the form in a penalty kick for Quinn. Repeating their success in the first game, Quinn was able to get the first goal for the Vancouver Rise, but unfortunately their last, though not for lack of trying. We had far more life out of the Vancouver Rise, with an impressive set of shots from Sofia Hagman. However, the game ended with Vancouver’s first loss, a hard 3-1 showing.
For the third game versus the Halifax Tide, The Rise had a good deal riding on it – could they demonstrate the strong showing of their first game? Could they manage to get a goal without the help of a penalty kick? From the onset, the Rise came out slower and shakier than in their challenge with the Wild. However, it was clear that they were ready to adapt – showing immediately a better ability to kick back field to command control of the ball, with Jasmyne Spencer again showing her abilities as a strong defender, sharing the field with Kennedy Faulknor, Shannon Woeller and Jaylyn Wright. When the Halifax came out of the gate ready to capitalize on any weakness of the Rise, the defenders were ready to guard the goal and give Morgan McAslan the support she needed.
Critically, the midfield with Quinn, Josie Longhurst, and Nicole Stanton were ready to back up forward positions of Holly Ward, Nedya Sawan, and Mariah Lee. The Rise came out unsteady, but what stood out was the improved transition from offensive and defensive tactics – with the defensive line being far stronger.
What was nearly the undoing for the Vancouver Rise was the long passes up field that simply went to no where, followed by cross field passes that were just off base. Regardless, they were able to keep control of the game, demonstrating a remarkable 66.3% possession of the ball by half time. Holly Ward, playing with a broken hand and persevering, worked to create opportunities up the left flank of the field, backed by Quinn, Josie Lonhurst, and Nicole Stanton. We also got to see more of Morgan McAslan, not afraid to show her footwork versus Megumi Nakamura.
It was late in the game when Jasmyne Spencer, showing that tenacity she is known for, rocketed the ball in to the Tide’s goal, making the one goal of the game at minute fifty two. From there, it was a matter of the Rise holding their defense, and keeping Halifax from making the shot. With seven minutes of added stoppage time, it was still a long and uphill battle for the Rise, having to ward off Halifax’s attacks, and taking the ball back to the Tide’s goal.
In the end of their third match, the Rise held on for their second win, putting them second in the league, making for what could be a tense rivalry between them and the Montreal Roses, who hold now to first place with three wins, and no losses, and one draw.
Next, the Rise faced off against AFC Toronto, and there was a valiant fight between both teams. However, where the Rise found themselves challenged once more, was with the AFC doing a full defensive press, and much like their game against the Tide, were uneven in breaking through the stiff line AFC Toronto had.
However, the defense in the fourth game was not as strong, as it was frequently Morgan McAslan who kept the Rise alive by blocking every shot she could – giving a magnificent performance. Quinn and Jasmyne Spencer were of course right in the mix, with Holly Ward, doing everything they could to get to the box, but were well matched by AFC Toronto’s Kaylee Hunter and Esther Okoronkwo.
By the second half, when AFC Toronto’s Aoi Kizaki made the first goal of the game, all seemed loss. However, the subs that were made earlier proved well placed, as Jessica De Filippo, subbed for Mariah Lee, was able to get a goal in the last few minutes of the match, giving the Rise a hard fought for draw.
The match versus the Ottawa Rapid, however, really highlighted the large gaps in the Rise’s strategy, especially lacking Quinn and Nikki Stanton. Where in other games it would seem that the Rise would get stuck into the midfield, this game had a Rise that seemed spread over the field, working to keep up with the Rapids, but not quite able to break the defense from Ottawa.
The first half showed the Rise already having gaps in their defensive work, with Jasmyne Spencer too far up the field to keep Ottawa’s Delaney Baie Pridham from scoring the first goal. From there, the first half was marked by Vancouver keeping the pressure on, but unable to score, and Ottawa frustrated in their own moments.
In the second half, Holly Ward was brought back into the fold in of place Jessica De Fillipo and we saw her ability to try and build opportunities, but unfortunately it simply was not enough, as the despite the appearance of a second wind, Delaney Baie Pridham quickly scored again at minute fifty-one, followed by a third goal Julia Benati – ultimately snatching any hope of a rebound from the Rise, in spite of the added energy Holly Ward brought to the field.
Notably, there was overall a lack of movement from the Rise through out the entire game – with the Rise players stopping to consider their choices rather than working with the intuitive cohesion that is really needed on a team that wants to win. What Quinn and Nikki Stanton’s absence demonstrated was that the Rise need to work building how the team works together as a whole, rather than being held by a few pillars on the roster.
After five matches, the Rise sit 5th in the NSL table, with a record of 2 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw for a total of 7 points, with a -3 goal difference. Next up, the Rise play Halifax on Wednesday the 21st at Swangard Stadium, and Calgary on the 24th, also at home.