Calgary Wild await playoff fate after Montreal Roses clinch NSL Shield
The Northern Super League's inaugural regular season ended with Montreal securing top spot, while the final playoff berth remains unsettled heading into the Calgary Wild's road game at Vancouver.
Why it matters
The Calgary Wild's Sunday match against the Vancouver Rise carries weight for the Northern Super League's final playoff positioning as the inaugural regular season wraps up.
The Montreal Roses clinched the Northern Super League's first-ever Supporters' Shield on Friday, beating the visiting Ottawa Rapid 1-0 on a goal from Tanya Boychuk in the 81st minute. Goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert recorded the shutout as Montreal needed only a win or draw to finish atop the six-team women's league. The Roses finished the regular season with 45 points on a 12-4-9 record, edging out Ottawa, which closed at 40 points with a 12-9-4 mark.
Montreal controlled much of the match at Stade Boreale, holding 53 per cent possession and outshooting Ottawa 16-6, including a 4-1 edge in shots on target. The Roses also took five of the contest's seven corner kicks.
Second place in the final standings still hinges on Monday's result between AFC Toronto, currently sitting at 38 points, and the visiting Halifax Tides. The battle for the league's fourth and final playoff spot remains open as well, with the Calgary Wild set to visit the Vancouver Rise on Sunday. Vancouver needs a win or draw in that match to keep its playoff hopes alive against Halifax, which currently holds the last postseason position.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.