Calgary Wild FC savours historic match to kick off women's pro soccer in city
Article content
It was a draw that felt like a win at McMahon Stadium.
Article content
Yes … the scoreless result was simply secondary to what it meant for Calgary Wild FC to finally take the pitch — on Mother's Day yet — in the debut of professional women's soccer in the city.
Article content
'Surreal,' said Wild star Grace Stordy, still overwhelmed moments after the nil-nil draw with Ottawa Rapid FC on a day that saw a whopping 8,556 fans — all seated in the east-side stands — show up for the historic match.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'It was a long time coming,' said 23-year-old Stordy. 'It means a lot for us, the girls. You know … I think we have really good group of girls who are very willing and able to inspire the younger generation. And I think that there's a lot of girls — me included — that 10 years ago that would have told you that this would never happen.
Article content
'So just sweet to be a role model for those girls and let them know that it is quite literally possible to play at this high level now here.'
Article content
Article content
Sweeter yet was the opener being played on Mother's Day.
Article content
Article content
'My mom called me 'Kitten' growing up,' Stordy said. 'And so when I was running down the line very early on the game, I heard, 'Go, Kitten, go.' And then that was the end of that.
Article content
'My mom has always been super supportive,' continued Stordy, fighting back tears. 'Both my parents flew to Portugal to watch me play. When I was at (NCAA) Tennessee in college, they quite literally travelled everywhere for me, so having the stability of them just driving 25 minutes to the stadium is sweet. And a bunch of friends, like two of my best friends, who have never seen me play here, they brought their moms, and that just means the world to me.'
Article content
Many of the players' moms made the trek to Calgary — flown in courtesy of sponsors Cenovus and The Dorian.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ottawa Citizen
27-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
King Charles' visit brought out these noteworthy names in Ottawa
Thousands of Ottawans welcomed King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, to Ottawa on their historic royal visit to tour the capital and open Parliament. Article content Article content Scott is a Canadian Olympian soccer player from Winnipeg. She won gold in the Tokyo 2020 Games and is also a two-time bronze medallist from London 2012 and Rio 2016. Scott currently plays for the Canadian national team and Ottawa Rapid FC. Article content Phillips was a member of the Ottawa Senators for 17 seasons as a defenceman. Article content Scott and Phillips were the designated hockey captains who participated in a ceremonial puck drop with the King at Lansdowne Park on May 26. Article content Over 70 years ago, 50 girls from across Canada were in attendance to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. After being nominated by their high schools, the teenagers were taken on a seven-week tour of the United Kingdom for a life-changing trip. Article content Article content On Monday, they were on the grounds of Rideau Hall to greet Charles and Camilla. Article content Also in attendance was Douglas Arrowsmith, a Canadian film director. Article content Article content As Charles and Camilla stepped off a Royal Canadian Air Force plane, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, were there to greet the Royals after their journey from London. This was the first of many photo ops throughout the two-day visit. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
CBC
26-05-2025
- CBC
Ottawa scores late to draw against Montreal in Northern Super League
Social Sharing Delaney Baie Pridham scored two minutes into stoppage time to pull even as Ottawa Rapid FC drew 1-1 against Montreal Roses FC on Sunday in the Northern Super League. Pridham fired in a penalty kick near the top left corner with Montreal goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert going the opposite way to knot the score up as the final whistle neared. The penalty was a result of a foul called on Montreal defender Stephanie Hill. WATCH | Rapid tie it late: Late goal by Rapid FC good enough to earn a 1-1 draw with Roses FC 16 hours ago Duration 1:08 Delaney Baie Pridham scored two minutes into stoppage time giving Ottawa Rapid FC a 1-1 draw against Montreal Roses FC Sunday in Northern Super League action. After a scoreless opening half, Hill put the Roses on the board in the 53rd minute. Hill managed a one-touch effort with her knee off a corner kick from Megane Sauve to score. Ottawa next visits AFC Toronto on June 7, while Montreal will host Vancouver Rise FC on June 7 at Stade Boreale.
The Province
26-05-2025
- The Province
Vancouver Rise FC and Calgary Wild FC battle to 1-1 draw at Swangard Stadium
Calgary Wild FC drew 1-1 with Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. Calgary Wild FC attacker Taegan Stewart battles with a Vancouver Rush FC defender for the ball during a 1-1 draw at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Wild FC Photo by Ethan Cairns Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Calgary Wild FC is packing a point back to Stampede City as the Battle of the West came down to a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Rise FC on Saturday at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'You've just got to focus on your own performances, in getting the rewards on the pitch from what you put in across the game,' said head coach Lydia Bedford. ' Today, we had more possession than they had; we had more shots than they had; we had more shots on target; we had more crosses – so, ya know, we did enough to win the game at the end. So, from a reflection perspective, our players can be really proud of what they achieved on the pitch, and hopefully they can build that momentum into their international break, and also into our next game against Halifax.' Calgary's netminder, Stephanie Bukovec's impressive 192 minute shut out streak come to an end as Vancouver's Mariah Lee slotted a low shot into the back of the net in the 12th minute. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I feel good, I wish we would've got another clean sheet today but there was one crucial save made which is important and we are taking a point home, which is important as well,' said Bukovec of her play thus far in the season. 'This is the first time I've been with a club that the three goalkeepers have a good relationship and we continue to push each other to get better every day.' The Wild FC answered back just five minutes later when Kahli Johnson struck. Catching a pass from Danielle Steer, Johnson turned to the net and booted a shot from the top of the T to break Morgan McAslan's clean sheet. 'It was a bit of an instinct goal,' said Johnson, who netted her third of the season. 'I received the ball with my back to the goal, and thought 'let's turn and see how this goes' – was able to do that and then instinct took over to shoot the ball and it was a nice one.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Calgary pressed on throughout the match, continuing to create quality chances, outshooting Vancouver 12-7, with six on target. Time coming to a close, Taegan Stewart broke away from the pack, racing past Vancouver's defensive line and unleashing a shot across the face of goal that nearly pushed Wild FC to two. Despite multiple surges forward, Wild FC was unable to find a late winner and the match closed at 1-1. Saturday marked the second time Wild FC and Rise FC have met this season, with Calgary originally falling to Vancouver 1-0 on a penalty kick in the historic league opener on April 16. The draw brings the team's record to 2-2-2 heading into the league's international break. Johnson and Bukovec are two of six Wild FC players who received a call-up to join their international senior teams throughout the break. Johnson earned her first call-up to the Australian Women's National Football Team, while Bukovec will once again join Croatia. Meikayla Moore and Ally Green will join New Zealand as Jackie Sawicki links up with the Philippines, and Jackie Burns will receive another cap for Northern Ireland. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm extremely grateful to people throughout my whole career who have helped me get here,' added Johnson on her international call up. 'Coming to Calgary, I wanted it to be that next step in my career and be able to push me up another level and I feel like there's no better way to see that come off than receiving a call-up a few months after getting here. I'm really excited to see what the next week is going to bring' 'We're really proud of Kahli. This is just the start of what will be a really great career. We're proud of all our players who received a call-up, I don't care if it's a friendly or not, it's a cap and it's part of their career,' added Bedford on the players earning international experience. 'I've worked in international football and I really respect it. We encourage all staff and players to take part in the international experience because it makes you a better person, a better player and you bring it back. We'll keep pushing everyone and hopefully six becomes eight and then becomes 10.' Vancouver Canucks Local News Vancouver Canucks World Hockey
