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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Montreal Roses Secure Convincing Win in NSL Semifinal Opener
The Montreal Roses, winners of this year’s Supporters' Shield for topping the regular season standings in the Northern Super League (NSL), took a commanding step towards the Diana B. Matheson Cup with a 3-0 victory over Vancouver Rise in the opening leg of their NSL semifinal series. The match was held Sunday at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C.
Early Goals Set the Tone
Montreal wasted little time making their intentions clear. Elyse Bennett scored the opening goal in the 12th minute, giving the Roses an early advantage. Just 19 minutes later, Marie-Yasmine Alidou doubled Montreal’s lead, putting further pressure on Vancouver Rise in front of their home crowd.
Impact Off the Bench
In the second half, the Roses continued to assert their dominance. Substitute Lisa Pechersky, who came on after halftime, marked her presence by scoring the third and final goal in the 73rd minute—just ten minutes after entering the match.
Defensive Performance and Key Statistics
Montreal’s defense remained solid throughout the match. Goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert faced a total of six shots, with only one finding the target, allowing her to register a clean sheet. In contrast, Vancouver’s goalkeeper, Morgan McAslan, was tested repeatedly and faced five shots on target from a total of 18 attempts by the Roses.
Possession favored Montreal, who controlled 56 percent of the match and earned four of the game’s eight corner kicks. The Rise, fighting to overturn the deficit in the upcoming match, picked up all three yellow cards in the game.
What’s Next: Game 2 and the Path to the Cup
The two-leg semifinal series continues next Sunday with Game 2 at Stade Boreale in Montreal. The team that prevails over the two matches will advance to the NSL final and face the winner of the AFC Toronto vs. Ottawa Rapid semifinal. Toronto currently leads their series after a 4-2 win in the first leg.
With this decisive performance, the Roses have demonstrated their focus extends beyond the Supporters' Shield as they chase the league’s ultimate prize—the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Key Details from the Semifinal Opener
- Montreal Roses: Regular season champions (Supporters' Shield winners); won 3-0 in the first leg
- Vancouver Rise: Home side for the opener at Swangard Stadium
- Goals: Elyse Bennett (12’), Marie-Yasmine Alidou (31’), Lisa Pechersky (73’)
- Shots on Target: Montreal Roses (5), Vancouver Rise (1)
- Second Leg: Scheduled for next Sunday at Stade Boreale, Montreal
Source: cbc.ca.
