Okoronkwo’s hat-trick fires Toronto into NSL final

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo scored a brilliant first-half hat-trick to send AFC Toronto into the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) final.

Her goals powered Toronto to a 4-1 win over the Montreal Roses on Monday at a snow-covered York Lions Stadium, completing a 6-1 aggregate victory from the two-leg semifinal.

Okoronkwo, 28, who had tallied eight goals and eight assists in 1,486 minutes during the regular season, wasted no time making her mark, scoring in the 7th, 20th, and 26th minutes. Toronto’s Lauren Rowe added a fourth in the 83rd minute, while Tanya Boychuk netted Montreal’s consolation in the 74th.

Fans and pundits hailed Okoronkwo as “Africa’s next big star,” noting her three-goal contribution in Nigeria’s run to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinals. She was also Nigeria’s Baller of the Week in September after her hat-trick in Toronto’s 7-0 win over Vancouver Rise.

“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.
“We know what Esther is capable of, a big-time player who 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 at BMO Field on Saturday, after Vancouver advanced past Ottawa 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 aggregate semifinal draw.

The second leg of the Toronto–Montreal tie was postponed from Sunday due to heavy snowfall in Toronto.