May 1, 2025...Esther Okoronkwo Scores Twice as AFC Toronto Solidifies First Win in Team History (from AFC press release)
Esther Okoronkwo Scores Twice as AFC Toronto Solidifies First Win in Team History AFC Toronto’s first historic win saw a final score of 2-1 against the visiting Calgary Wild FC Toronto, ON (May 1, 2025) – Nigerian international Esther Okoronkwo found the back of the net twice as AFC Toronto marked their first win in team history. The club’s 2-1 victory over Calgary Wild FC took place on Toronto’s home pitch, York Lions Stadium, on a rainy Thursday, May 1. The resilience and aggression of AFC’s offence capitalized early, as Okoronkwo opened scoring in the 26th minute with an explosive go-ahead off a cheeky pass from Nikki Small. On a forceover from Victoria Pickett in the 53rd minute, it would be Okoronkwo again who used her pace and curved the ball over Calgary’s goalkeeper, Stephanie Bukovec. The Wild answered in the 85th minute with a notch from Meikayla Moore, but not enough to equalize the scrappy and tenacious AFC performance. “It's gonna be business as usual. We're gonna enjoy it tonight and then, tomorrow we're getting ready for the next one,” said Marko Milanovic, Head Coach. “It's a long process. We know that. Just as important as results are for us in the short term - developing players and making sure that players are growing and that we look better weekly is also just as important. So, yes, it feels good, but it's just one game and we move on.” “We haven't won a game and it was refreshing - being up two zero (at one point), we needed it. [Marko] also told us to keep going and keep fighting,” said Esther Okoronkwo. “Obviously it's a credit to my teammates, being around me telling me to go and just giving my a hundred percent and whatever I could do to get on the ball - I'll get on the ball and try to help my team go forward.” Next, Toronto takes on Vancouver Rise FC continuing a homestand at York Lions Stadium on Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. ET. ESTHER OKORONKWO: The Nigerian striker scored the first and second goal of her Northern Super League career. SOFIA MANNER: AFC’s goalkeeper made seven saves to secure the club’s first historic victory. IN THE W COLUMN: AFC Toronto notched their first win in team history, bringing the club’s record to 1-2-0. UP NEXT: AFC Toronto continue their homestand at York Lions Stadium as they face Vancouver Rise FC on Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. ET (Stream on TSN+ and NSL.ca; US Streaming on ESPN+) MATCH SUMMARY AFC Toronto - 2 Calgary Wild FC - 1 Venue: York Lions Stadium Referee: Salma Flores-Desroches Assistants: Gabrielle Lemieux, Camille Raymond Fourth Official: Carly Shaw-MacLaren Referee Observer: Amato De Luca Attendance: 2,200 SCORING SUMMARY AFC Toronto: Esther Okoronkwo (25’), Esther Okoronkwo (56’) Calgary Wild FC: Meikayla Moore (85’) MISCONDUCT SUMMARY 13’ - Yellow: Grace Stordy (Calgary Wild FC) 71’ - Yellow: Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto) 75’ - Yellow: Hong Hye-Ji (AFC Toronto) 80’ - Yellow: Meikayla Moore (Calgary Wild FC) STARTING LINEUP & STATS AFC Toronto Starting Lineup: GK Sofia Manner (Finland) DF Hong Hye-Ji (South Korea) DF Croix Soto (USA) DF Ashley Cathro (CAN) MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON) MF Emma Regan (Burnaby, BC) MF Colby Barnett (USA) MF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON) FW Kaylee Hunter (Calgary, AB) FW Shaina Ashouri (USA) FW Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria) Substitutes: Sierra Cota-Yarde (GK), Kaela Hansen (DF), Sarah Rollins (DF), Aoi Kizaki (MF), April Lantaigne (MF), Cloey Uddenberg (MF), Ivymae Perez (MF), Nyota Katembo (MF) Total Shots: 8 Shots on Goal: 3 Fouls: 14 Offsides: 2 Corner-Kicks: 4 Saves: 7
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