Silano Strikes Twice as Toronto Blanks Ottawa in Battle of Ontario

AFC Toronto jumped Ottawa Rapid FC in the Northern Super League table with a 3-0 win, turning the fifth and final Battle of Ontario of the regular season into the most decisive meeting between the rivals this year. Lena Silano broke through just before halftime and struck again four minutes after the restart for her first brace of the season. Sarah Stratigakis finished it in the 82nd minute after coming off the bench, giving her goals in consecutive meetings with Ottawa. Toronto improved to 10 wins, seven draws and five losses for 37 points, moving one point ahead of the Rapid into second place. Ottawa had entered the weekend with a league-leading 44 goals.

The result opened Toronto’s season-ending four-game homestand with a statement. Neither side had scored more than twice in any of the first four meetings this season.