Montreal Roses hold on to edge AFC Toronto in second outing for Northern Super League

The Northern Super League kicked off mid-week in Vancouver but there was still a sense of history Saturday as Montreal Roses FC hung on to edge AFC Toronto 1-0 in Game 2 at BMO Field.

"Women in Quebec, women in Canada, they deserve this," said Montreal coach Robert Rositoiu. "And I really hope that as a league we're going to keep showing what we showed today, what we showed Wednesday. A good show, to convince more young girls that they can dream. It's on."

While the football was sloppy at times, as one might expect from two teams taking their first steps, there was no shortage of entertainment for the receptive crowd announced at 14,518. There was plenty of skill and grit on display in a game that showed the new six-team women's league has plenty to offer.

But the lone goal came from a blunder as Montreal co-captain Tanya Boychuk, a 24-year-old former Canadian youth international from Edmonton, was gifted a gilt-edged opportunity in the second minute.

WATCH | Montreal Roses FC defeats AFC Toronto as Tanya Boychuk scores franchise's 1st goal:

The disastrous start for the home side saw Nyota Katembo unwittingly set up Boychuk with an errant back pass. Rather than finding Toronto teammate Cloey Uddenberg, the ball went straight to Boychuk who headed unchecked toward the Toronto goal, needing just one touch before beating Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner with a left-footed low shot.

Boychuk said it was a surreal moment.

"I was like "Did I just do that?' And then I started running and I started running away from my teammates and I thought 'I don't even know where I'm going.' But it was awesome."

Toronto coach Marko Milanovic had expressed concern before the game about the effect of nerves on his players performing on such a big stage. The goal proved his point.

"You saw it. It was a simple pass. There was no pressure," he said. "Obviously Nyota is a top player and it was all nerves at that point."

It took a while for Toronto to steady itself. But the home side came on as the first half progressed.

Toronto offered a lot more in attack in the second half with Montreal soaking up the pressure as the sun began to peak out. Toronto was pushing hard for an equalizer as the clock wound down with Montreal goalkeeper Anna Karpenko having to put out fires.

Toronto outshot Montreal 15-4 (6-2 in shots on target) and had 59 per cent possession.

"Although we didn't get the goal, we didn't get the result, I think we were pushing until the end and I think that's a very important message," said Toronto captain Emma Regan.