The Montreal Roses claimed the Northern Super League Supporters' Shield on Friday, beating the visiting Ottawa Rapid 1-0 at Stade Boreale. Tanya Boychuk scored in the 81st minute and goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert posted a shutout, giving Montreal first place in the six-team women's league on the final day of the regular season.

How did the Roses seal first place?

Montreal needed only a win or a draw to finish on top, and the club got both the result and the margin. The Roses held 53 per cent of possession and outshot Ottawa 16-6, including a 4-1 edge in shots on target. Montreal also took five of the match's seven corners and received the game's only yellow card.

Read also Montreal Roses chase historic double after dominant shutout

The Roses closed the campaign with 45 points from 12 wins, four losses and nine draws. The Rapid finished with 40 points on 12 wins, nine losses and four draws.

What is the Supporters' Shield?

The award goes to the club that finishes atop the regular-season standings, recognizing consistency across the whole campaign rather than a single playoff run. It is the first Supporters' Shield for the Roses, according to The Canadian Press.

What is still undecided?

Several places behind Montreal remain open, and the results will shape the playoff field:

  • AFC Toronto, on 38 points, hosts the Halifax Tides on Monday. A Toronto win would move it into second place and drop Ottawa to third.
  • The Vancouver Rise host the Calgary Wild on Sunday. Vancouver needs a win or a draw to stay in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot, which the Tides currently hold.

For fans in both Canada and the United States, the finish offers a look at how tight the NSL's standings have been: the top two clubs were separated by five points, and the last playoff berth is still in play heading into the final matches.

FAQ

Who scored the winning goal for Montreal?

Tanya Boychuk scored in the 81st minute, and Gabrielle Lambert recorded the shutout in the 1-0 win over Ottawa.

When will the remaining standings be settled?

AFC Toronto hosts Halifax on Monday, and the Vancouver Rise host Calgary on Sunday, with playoff seeding depending on those results.