AFC Toronto edges Montreal Roses in NSL regular-season finale

AFC Toronto will head into the playoffs on a win after beating the Montreal Roses 2-1 Sunday in the final game of the Northern Super League's inaugural regular season.

Montreal's Alexandria Hess opened the scoring in the 10th minute, lobbing a shot into an empty net after Toronto 'keeper Sierra Cota-Yarde came up high to defend.

Toronto replied in the 42nd minute when Lauren Rowe crossed a ball into the six-yard box and Sarah Stratigakis tapped it in to level the score at 1-1.

Nikayla Small gave Toronto the win with a goal in the 86th minute at York Lions Stadium.

The two sides will meet again in the first-ever NSL playoffs, starting on Nov. 1.

Toronto (16-6-3) finished the regular season atop the six-team league's standings to earn the Supporters' Shield while Montreal (10-9-6) came fourth.