AFC Toronto storms into NSL Final after Okoronkwo’s hat-trick heroics
AFC Toronto is set to play in the NSL Final after a dominant performance against Montreal Roses in the semifinals. Esther Okoronkwo, the team's star striker, scored three goals in the first 26 minutes of the first leg, helping Toronto secure a 4-1 aggregate win despite a delayed second game due to inclement weather.
The series began with a bang for Toronto. Okoronkwo, who had an impressive regular season with eight goals and eight assists in 1,486 minutes, scored a hat-trick in the opening quarter of an hour. She opened the scoring in the 5th minute, added another in the 13th, and completed her hat-trick in the 26th. Lauren Rowe sealed the victory with a goal in the 84th minute.
The second leg was delayed by a day due to heavy snowfall in Toronto. When play resumed, Montreal Roses managed to score a consolation goal through Tanya Boychuk in the 74th minute, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit. Toronto progressed to the final with a comfortable 6-1 aggregate win.
Toronto will now face Vancouver Rise in the NSL Final at BMO Field on Saturday, November 15. The final promises to be an exciting encounter after Vancouver's penalty shootout victory over Ottawa in their semifinal series. Esther Okoronkwo's form will be crucial for Toronto, as she has shown exceptional goal-scoring ability throughout the season.
