Vancouver Rise go to the Cup Final

It’s November now, the snow is finally calling the mountains. The salmon are back on Bowen. And the Northern Super League is drawing its inaugural year of professional Canadian women’s soccer to a close. Our local team, the Vancouver Rise today secured a spot in the playoff final with a penalty shootout win after the two leg semi-final against Ottawa Rapid went to extra time. Holly Ward, a bright young forward who has seemed snakebitten for much of the season scored the equalizer in the 84th minute and penalities decided it.

I’m pleased for our former Rovers supporters’ player of the year, Kirstin Tynen, who is the backup keeper for the Rise. She’s only played once this year, but got a point in a wild 3-3 draw. On the losing side, Desiree Scott, a Canadian national team LEGEND played her last game today and former Rover Stella Downing sees her scintillating rookie season come to an end.

Toronto and Montreal are battling it out tomorrow for the second spot in the final. Whatever happens, a former TSS Rover will lift the cup next weekend. Watching these women finally get their chance to play pro at home is what this league is all about.