Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo, netted a first-half hat-trick to send AFC Toronto into the Northern Super League playoff final with a 4–1 win over Montreal Roses on Monday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 28-year-old striker, who finished the regular season with eight goals and eight assists, was in sensational form at York Lions Stadium, scoring three times in the first 27 minutes of the playoff semifinal to put Toronto 3–0 up at half-time and take firm control of the second leg.
Okoronkwo opened the scoring in the 7th minute, finishing off a clever cutback from Kaylee Hunter, before doubling the advantage in the 21st minute with a beautifully curled left-footed free kick that left the Roses’ goalkeeper rooted. She completed her treble six minutes later, reacting quickest to a loose clearance and driving a low shot into the bottom corner to complete her first hat-trick of the season.
The second leg had originally been scheduled for Sunday but was postponed due to heavy snowfall in Toronto, adding an extra day of anticipation. The Nigerian was substituted in the 66th minute, replaced by Sarah Stratigakis, to a warm ovation from the home crowd.
Tanya Boychuk pulled one back for Montreal in the 74th minute, but Lauren Rowe restored Toronto’s three-goal cushion ten minutes from time to seal another emphatic performance from the regular-season champions.
The result confirmed a 6–1 aggregate victory for Toronto, who had earlier claimed a 2–0 win in the first leg in Montreal through goals from Nikayla Small and Kaylee Hunter.
AFC Toronto will now face Vancouver Rise in Saturday’s NSL Final at BMO Field. Vancouver advanced after edging Ottawa 5–4 on penalties following a 3–3 aggregate draw.
