Lena Silano brace sends AFC Toronto into NSL playoffs

AFC Toronto secured its place in the Northern Super League playoffs on Saturday, climbing to second in the standings with a 3-0 victory over Ottawa Rapid FC at York Lions Stadium.

Lena Silano scored twice for her first NSL goals, while Sarah Stratigakis added the third as Toronto improved to 10-7-5 and 37 points. The result moved AFC Toronto above Ottawa and within two points of league-leading Montreal Roses FC.

Sabrina D’Angelo completed the afternoon with her sixth clean sheet of the season.

Silano breaks through with first NSL goals

Ottawa made the stronger start, but Toronto gradually settled into the match and found its breakthrough shortly before halftime.

Silano put pressure on Ottawa goalkeeper Mollie Eriksson, won the ball and converted the opportunity for her first career goal in the NSL.

She did not have to wait long for her second.

Four minutes after halftime, Nikki Small found Silano inside the penalty area and the forward finished to give Toronto a 2-0 advantage. The assist was Small’s second of the season.

The brace came at an important moment for a Toronto side looking to secure its postseason place while continuing to push toward the top of the table.

Ottawa generated opportunities of its own, but D’Angelo kept the visitors off the scoresheet with a series of saves.

“Obviously very pleased with the result and the performance,” Toronto head coach Marko Milanović said. “I thought we played a pretty complete game, outside of a few chances that Ottawa created.”

Milanović also credited D’Angelo for preserving the advantage when Ottawa threatened.

“In those moments, Sabrina was huge for us and made incredible saves,” he said. “As a result, we keep the clean sheet and grab a really big win for us.”

Stratigakis puts the result away

Toronto added its third goal late in the match through Stratigakis.

The midfielder drove forward before scoring from the top of the penalty area, recording her fifth goal of the season and putting the result beyond Ottawa’s reach.

The 3-0 victory accomplished more than securing three points. With its playoff berth confirmed, Toronto moved into second place at a crucial stage of the NSL season and remains within striking distance of Montreal at the top.

AFC Toronto will now turn its attention to a different competition.

The club returns to York Lions Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4 to host Vancouver Rise FC in the 2026-27 W Canadian Championship quarterfinal. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.