Marie-Yasmine Alidou netted the decisive goal from a penalty kick in the 55th minute as the Montreal Roses triumphed over AFC Toronto with a 2-0 victory in the Northern Super League encounter held on Sunday. Elyse Bennett, scoring her ninth goal of the season, provided additional security for the Roses, who currently hold the second position with a record of 9 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses. This game marked the debut of interim head coach Maryse Bard-Martel for the Montreal team.
Although Shelina Zadorsky appeared to level the score for Toronto in the 68th minute, her goal was disallowed due to an offside decision. Roses’ goalkeeper Anna Karpenko showcased her skill by facing a total of 20 shots, with 9 of them on target, securing a clean sheet for her team.
In contrast, Toronto’s goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo encountered 7 shots, with 5 of them on target. This match was especially significant for the Roses as it was their first game following the dismissal of head coach Robert Rositoiu, who was let go after their surprising 1-0 defeat to semi-professional team Simcoe County in the W Canadian Championship.
The Montreal Roses have shown resilience and determination in their recent performance, setting a strong foundation under the guidance of their new interim coach.