AFC Toronto Crowned Champions With Dramatic Victory Over Montreal
AFC Toronto 1 – 0 Montreal Roses FC
Diana B. Matheson Cup Final
November 14, 2026 · TD Place · Ottawa, Ontario
AFC Toronto finished its championship mission in style, defeating the Montreal Roses 1-0 to capture the 2026 Northern Super League championship and lift the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
After falling short in last year’s championship final against Vancouver Rise, Toronto returned with determination and delivered when it mattered most.
The victory gives AFC Toronto its first NSL championship and makes the club the first in league history to win both the Supporters’ Shield and championship honours.
First-half breakthrough
The decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Chisholm scored her first professional goal, finishing a pass from Lauren Rowe to give Toronto a crucial 1-0 advantage.
Rowe created the opportunity with excellent work down the right side before finding Chisholm inside the penalty area.
It was a memorable moment for the young Toronto forward and ultimately the biggest goal of the championship match.
Second-half defensive battle
Montreal came out aggressively after halftime, searching for an equalizer.
The Roses created several dangerous opportunities, but Toronto goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo delivered an outstanding performance.
Among the biggest moments:
Lisa Pechersky tested D’Angelo early in the second half.
Elyse Bennett threatened with a header.
Pechersky had another opportunity in the 73rd minute, but D’Angelo made the save.
Toronto’s defensive unit stood firm under late pressure.
Montreal finished with 14 shots but could not find the back of the net.
D’Angelo recorded three saves and secured the clean sheet.
Players of the match
Olivia Chisholm – AFC Toronto
Scored the championship-winning goal in the 39th minute. A breakthrough performance for the 17-year-old.
Sabrina D’Angelo – AFC Toronto
Three saves and a championship clean sheet.
Lauren Rowe – AFC Toronto
Provided the decisive assist and created the opening for Chisholm.
Turning point
The 39th-minute goal changed the entire championship.
Montreal had enjoyed promising attacking opportunities, but Toronto capitalized on its chance.
From that point forward, the Roses were forced to chase the game while Toronto defended its advantage.
Final thoughts
AFC Toronto deserves enormous credit for completing its championship journey.
The club responded to last year’s disappointment with a determined postseason, defeated Ottawa 8-2 on aggregate in the semifinals and then overcame Montreal in the championship game.
For Montreal, winning the Supporters’ Shield was a major achievement, but the Roses will regret not converting their second-half opportunities.
For Toronto, this is a historic championship and an important moment for professional women’s soccer in Canada.
AFC TORONTO ARE NSL CHAMPIONS!
Final: AFC Toronto 1, Montreal Roses FC 0.
Goal: Olivia Chisholm 39′ (assist: Lauren Rowe).
Champions: AFC Toronto.
Runner-up: Montreal Roses FC.
Venue: TD Place, Ottawa.
Trophy: Diana B. Matheson Cup.
