Super Falcons star Esther Okoronkwo scored a first-half hat-trick to power AFC Toronto into the Northern Super League (NSL) final.
The 28-year-old striker netted in the 7th, 20th, and 26th minutes to help Toronto beat the Montreal Roses 4-1 on Monday at a snow-covered York Lions Stadium, completing a 6-1 aggregate victory. Lauren Rowe added Toronto’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute, while Tanya Boychuk scored Montreal’s lone goal in the 74th.
Okoronkwo, who finished the regular season with eight goals and eight assists, has continued her rich scoring form. Fans praised her as “Africa’s next big star,” recalling her three goals at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinals and her previous hat-trick for Toronto against Vancouver Rise in September.
“It was a complete team effort. The work up top from Kaylee Hunter alongside Esther was incredible. She even set up the first goal,” said Toronto coach Marko Milanović.
“Esther is a big-time player who always delivers in big moments. We hope to see more of that in the final.”
Toronto had won the first leg 2-0 in Montreal on November 1, with goals from Small and Hunter. They will now face Vancouver Rise in Saturday’s final at BMO Field, after Vancouver advanced past Ottawa 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 aggregate draw in their semifinal.
The second leg of the Toronto–Montreal tie had been postponed from Sunday due to heavy snowfall.
