April 27, 2025...Ottawa Rapid vs AFC Toronto game report (from AFC Toronto press release)
Kaylee Hunter Notches First Goal in Team History as AFC Toronto Fall 2-1 to Ottawa Rapid FC 17-year-old Kaylee Hunter extra time tally was the first in team history, as they were unable to equalize against Ottawa Rapid FC Canadian National Team veteran Desiree Scott scored her first professional goal in Northern Super League debut Toronto, ON (April 27, 2025) – Calgary-native Kaylee Hunter notched AFC Toronto’s first goal in team history as they fell 2-1 to Ottawa Rapid FC at Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium on Sunday, April 27. Hunter’s late game tally was not enough to equalize over Canadian national team veteran Desiree Scott’s first professional goal that secured Ottawa’s victory. Ottawa’s Min-A Lee opened the scoring in the 54th minute, striking the Rapids inaugural goal past three AFC Toronto defenders. Shortly after, Esther Okoronkwo had her equalizer called back due to an offsides ruling. In front of her hometown crowd of 6,980, Desiree Scott scored her first professional goal in a defensive scramble, where the midfielder followed up her initial deflection to beat Sofia Manner. Entering the match in the 63rd minute, forward Kaylee Hunter looked to make an immediate impression. The 17-year-old netted a goal in the 93rd minute, beating goalkeeper Mollie Eriksson to calmly walk it around and slot it in. “That’s the type of game we hope to play against the majority of teams this season. This is what we want the game to look like no matter if we play at home or away, it just helps if we finish a few of those chances,” said Marko Milanovic, Head Coach. “It will be a lot easier and I think the players will feel a lot looser in possession if we actually score. I’m confident it will come, it’s just a matter of time.” “Each game we’re growing, as you can tell from the first game to now, we’ve improved significantly and we can only go up from here”, said Kaylee Hunter, AFC Toronto Forward. “Patience will become a key factor. We know each other, we know the movements - once we have our chance, just delivering and getting it in the back of the net.” Kaylee Hunter on first professional goal: “For me it was a huge honour, it’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was a little kid. Hopefully there’s more to come and I’ll keep working at it.” Next up, Toronto heads to their home pitch at York Lions Stadium to face the road tripping Calgary Wild FC on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ET. KAYLEE HUNTER: The Northern Super League’s youngest player entered the match in the 63rd minute, her late game efforts made her the first player in AFC Toronto history to score. COLBY BARNETT: The midfielder provided some of Toronto’s best offensive opportunities, leading the team in Total Crosses Received with 13. DESIREE SCOTT: The opposing team’s veteran midfielder notched her first professional goal in career history in her NSL debut. UP NEXT: AFC Toronto come back home for their first match on their home pitch at York Lions Stadium as they face Calgary Wild FC on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ET (Stream on TSN+ and NSL.ca/US Streaming on ESPN+) MATCH SUMMARY AFC Toronto - 1 Ottawa Rapid FC - 2 Venue: TD Place Stadium Referee: Sheila Couture Assistants: Stéphanie Fortin, Allycia Carlucci Fourth Official: Anne-Marie Canuel Referee Observer: Laurence Rodier Attendance: 6,980 SCORING SUMMARY Ottawa Rapid FC: Min-A Lee (54’), Desiree Scott (81’) AFC Toronto: Kaylee Hunter (93’) MISCONDUCT SUMMARY N/A STARTING LINEUP & STATS AFC Toronto Starting Lineup: GK Sofia Manner (Finland) DF Hong Hye-Ji (South Korea) DF Kaela Hansen (Burnaby, BC) MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON) MF Emma Regan (Burnaby, BC) MF Nyota Katembo (Montreal, QC) MF Cloey Uddenberg (St. Kitts & Nevis) MF Colby Barnett (USA) MF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON) FW Shaina Ashouri (USA) FW Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria) Substitutes: Sierra Cota-Yarde (GK), Ashley Cathro (DF), Sarah Rollins (DF), Croix Soto (DF), Sonia Walk (DF), Aoi Kizaki (MF), April Lantaigne (MF), Ivymae Perez (MF), Kaylee Hunter (FW) Total Shots: 18 Shots on Goal: 5 Fouls: 8 Offsides: 5 Corner-Kicks: 5 Saves: 5
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