Vancouver Rise FC Make History with the First Ever Northern Super League Win

Megan Swain/GATG

On April 16, 2025 Vancouver witnessed history at BC Place with the first ever kick-off in the Northern Super League. Marking a new era for women’s soccer in Canada. 

The Vancouver Rise FC faced off against the Calgary Wild FC, where the Rise emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. 

The energy flowed throughout BC Place, where little girls and women walked into the stadium with wide smiles and hopeful eyes. 

The NSL is providing younger generations of female soccer players the opportunity to be inspired by athletes that look like them, by a league they can aspire to play in someday.

The opening ceremony hosted iconic retired players, such as Diana Matheson, co-founder of the NSL, and Christine Sinclair, co-owner of Rise FC. The crowd waved golden banners in support of the Rise, as well as lifted mint and black scarves that served as a souvenir for the historic moment. 

As soon as kick-off started, you could feel the tension increase on the field. Both Vancouver and Calgary were not satisfied with only being part of history by playing this match, the teams wanted to make history with the first win. 

The ball bounced from end to end as the players on both teams gave it their everything in an attempt to score. This would be the first goal in league history.

A penalty kick was called in the 21’ in favor of the Rise. Quinn took the shot and scored. The crowd roared as they scored the first goal in NSL history. 

Loud cheers echoed throughout the stadium as the whole team huddled up, jumping onto one another in celebration of the goal. Chills could be felt as the ball hit the back of the net, and excitement coursed through the stadium.

The goal set the tone for the rest of the match with Vancouver kept trying to up the score, while Calgary did everything to try and tie it. 

However, Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was locked in, stopping all shots that came her way. The game ended with a 1-0 historic win for the hometown team.

The crowd waved their Rise scarves and golden banners in celebration of the win. Chants were made by the Crowd Collective, Vancouver Rise’s very own fan club. 

The match will be written down in history books where the Vancouver Rise will have the privilege of having the first NSL win inked on its opening pages.