Chisholm's lone goal gives AFC Toronto first NSL title with 1-0 win over Montreal Roses

Olivia Chisholm's first-half goal gave AFC Toronto their first Diana B. Matheson Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Roses on Saturday afternoon (November 14) at TD Place in Ottawa. The 17-year-old scored what proved to be the winner, and her first professional goal, in the 39th minute.

A first professional goal, set up by Lauren Rowe

Lauren Rowe beat her defender in the box and sent a pass from near the endline to Chisholm, who had some space near the top of the box and side-footed a shot past the outstretched arms of Montreal goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert. The Roses had the better chances in the opening half, but Toronto capitalised with Chisholm's goal.

D'Angelo's clean sheet holds off 14 Montreal shots

Sabrina D'Angelo kept a clean sheet for Toronto, holding off the Roses, who had led the league with 48 goals. Trailing 1-0, Montreal came out hard in the second half: Lisa Pechersky challenged D'Angelo and Elyse Bennett headed at goal, and Pechersky had another chance in the 73rd minute, but D'Angelo anticipated it and made the save. Montreal generated 14 shots but could not find a way past her. At the other end, Lambert made two big saves in the 54th minute, first on Toronto's Kaylee Hunter and then getting her fingertips to a chance from Shelina Zadorsky.

Redemption for Toronto; Montreal's regular-season crown

Toronto, who finished third in the regular-season standings, beat Ottawa 8-2 on aggregate in the semifinals and were looking for redemption after dropping last year's final to the Vancouver Rise. Montreal, who finished first overall to win their first Supporters' Shield with a 12-4-9 record and 45 points, beat Vancouver 5-2 on aggregate in the semis to reach their first championship final, riding a 12-game unbeaten streak since Maryse Bard-Montreal took over as interim head coach in August.

Sources: Sportsnet; The Canadian Press.