Pridham scores 9th goal in 9 games as Rapid defeat Wild 3-1

Delaney Baie Pridham continues to show her scoring prowess as she netted her league-leading ninth goal of the season, helping the Ottawa Rapid secure a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Wild in Northern Super League action on Saturday in Ottawa.

Pridham’s impressive goal-scoring record now stands at nine goals in nine games for the Rapid (4-3-2), who currently sit in third place in the six-team league with 14 points.

Melanie Forbes also had a standout performance for Ottawa, scoring her first career goal and providing an assist off the bench on her 26th birthday. Nicola Golen added another goal for the Rapid, while Sonia O’Neill found the back of the net for the Wild.

Pridham kicked off the scoring in the 32nd minute with a well-placed shot that hit the goal post before finding the back of the net. Forbes doubled Ottawa’s lead in the 65th minute, before setting up Golen for her first career NSL goal in the 87th minute.

“It feels great,” Forbes shared. “It’s like icing on the cake, literally.”

Despite O’Neill pulling one back for the Wild in the 83rd minute, Ottawa maintained their lead to secure the important victory. O’Neill emphasized the significance of scoring in a tight game, especially considering the importance of goal differential in the standings.

In another exciting match on Saturday, AFC Toronto overcame an early own goal to defeat the Halifax Tides 3-1, with Kaylee Hunter scoring twice to propel Toronto to the top of the league standings. Esther Okoronkwo also contributed with a goal to secure the win for Toronto, who now lead the league with 19 points.

Toronto’s assistant coach, Sylvia Forbes, praised the team’s resilience and highlighted the importance of continuous improvement throughout the season.

“We remember how we feel in the tough moments and then, we remember how we feel in these good moments. We understand that the work hasn’t stopped. We expect the players, we expect us as a staff to get better each and every week,” Forbes stated.

The victory marked Toronto’s fifth win in their last six games and their first come-from-behind victory of the season, showcasing their determination and growth as a team.

On the other hand, the Halifax Tides dropped to last place with a record of 1-6-1, highlighting the competitive nature of the league and the challenges each team faces in their quest for success.