Rowe’s late-game strike sealed AFC’s historic fifth straight win

Halifax, NS (July 15, 2025) – Lauren Rowe’s debut goal in the 79th minute lifted AFC Toronto to a 1-0 victory over Halifax Tides FC on Tuesday night, making them the first team in the Northern Super League to win five straight matches. Goalkeeper Sofia Manner stood tall in net, delivering a composed and commanding performance to keep a clean sheet for the visitors.

AFC fought to find their rhythm early, with Halifax applying pressure in transition and threatening on set pieces.The breakthrough came in the 79th minute when midfielder Nikki Small threaded a perfectly timed through ball to debutant Rowe, who made no mistake finishing on the run. The goal marked Rowe’s first in the Northern Super League and was the difference-maker in a scrappy contest that demanded resilience. With the win, AFC remains atop the table and becomes the first team in the league to string together five consecutive victories.

Lauren Rowe on her debut goal: “It honestly didn’t feel real at first – being away, I didn’t hear much of a cheer but when my teammates came over to celebrate, it hit me. It was such a special moment.”

“We played against a very organized and motivated team in front of a great home crowd,” said head coach Marko Milanovic of the team’s performance. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but I’m proud of how we stayed patient and kept doing the right things. Even when the goals didn’t come early, we trusted the process and we got rewarded for it.”

Next, AFC Toronto are back at York Lions Stadium to face Montreal Roses FC on Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NIKKI SMALL: AFC midfielder moves into a tie for the Northern Super League lead with her fifth assist.

LAUREN ROWE: The forward marked her Northern Super League debut with her first goal. MAKE IT FIVE: AFC Toronto secures their fifth win in a row, the most in the NSL.

UP NEXT: AFC Toronto back home at York Lions Stadium to take on Montreal Roses FC on Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Watch on TSN; Stream on NSL.ca; French language coverage on RDS).

MATCH SUMMARY

AFC Toronto - 1 Halifax Tides FC - 0

Venue: Wanderers Grounds
Referee: Anne-Marie Canuel
Assistants: Natalie Berry, Victoria Lafortune Fourth Official: Amanda Kwan
Referee Observer: Christina Oakley Attendance: 4,051

SCORING SUMMARY
AFC Toronto: Lauren Rowe (79’) Halifax Tides FC: 0

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

26’ - Yellow: Annika Leslie (Halifax Tides FC) 42’ - Yellow: Daphnée Blouin (Halifax Tides FC) 87’ - Yellow: Croix Soto (AFC Toronto)
90+2’ - Yellow: April Lantainge (AFC Toronto)

STARTING LINEUP & STATS

AFC Toronto Starting Lineup:

GK Sofia Manner (Finland)
DF Croix Soto (USA)
DF Ashley Cathro (Victoria, BC) DF Sarah Rollins (Toronto, ON) MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON) MF Emma Regan (Burnaby, BC)

MF Colby Barnett (USA)
MF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON) MF Nyota Katembo (Montréal, QC) FW Kaylee Hunter (Calgary, AB) FW Jade Kovacevic (Acton, ON)

Substitutes: Sierra Cota-Yarde (GK), Olivia Busby (GK), Hong Hye-ji (DF), Kaela Hansen (DF), April Lantaigne (MF), Cloey Uddenberg (MF), Aoi Kizaki (MF), Lauren Rowe (FW)

Total Shots: 17 Shots on Goal: 4 Fouls: 15 Offsides: 1 Corner-Kicks: 7 Saves: 4

Video Highlights of Opening Game

Media can access video highlights from the opening match on the Northern Super League YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernSuperLeague

Match Summary

A complete summary of the match facts and stats can be viewed at:

https://www.nsl.ca/games/halifax-toronto-2025-07-15

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Captain Emma Regan on Rowe’s debut: “I’m just so happy for her. Lauren has slotted in seamlessly – she works incredibly hard, and tonight she brought a spark off the bench. Fresh legs, defensive hustle, and then that finish... she played a huge role for us.”

Head coach Marko Milanovic on resilience and maturity: “We’ve had a few of these games lately where things don’t fall for us right away. Tonight was another example of maturity: sticking to the plan, not getting frustrated, and trusting that the breakthrough will come.”

Regan on maintaining the team’s standard: “That’s always the goal: clean sheets, wins, consistency. Even when we don’t achieve it, the expectation doesn’t change. We’re going to keep pushing to bring that same mentality into every single match.”