Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo produced a sensational display on Monday night, scoring a hat-trick to propel AFC Toronto into the maiden final of the Northern Super League (NSL) with a commanding 4–1 victory over Montreal Roses.
The result sealed a 6–1 aggregate triumph for Toronto, who had earlier claimed a 2–0 first-leg win at the Stade Boreale in Montreal on 1 November, courtesy of goals from Nikayla Small and Kaylee Hunter.
In the snow-laden return leg at York Lions Stadium, Okoronkwo wasted no time stamping her authority on the match.
The 28-year-old Nigerian opened the scoring in the seventh minute, calmly slotting home from Hunter’s through ball.
Thirteen minutes later, she doubled the advantage with a precise free-kick before completing her hat-trick shortly before the half-hour mark, weaving through four defenders and finishing neatly past the goalkeeper.
Tanya Boychuk pulled one back for the Roses 15 minutes from time, but Lauren Rowe restored Toronto’s three-goal cushion with a thumping volley to make it 4–1.
The match had been postponed from Sunday due to heavy snowfall in Toronto, but the weather did little to cool Okoronkwo’s fiery form.
The Nigerian, a leading contender for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year, has now tallied eight goals and eight assists this season.
AFC Toronto will now face Vancouver Rise in Saturday’s NSL final at the BMO Field. Vancouver advanced after defeating Ottawa 5–4 on penalties, following a 3–3 aggregate draw.
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