Calgary Wild FC rallies past Vancouver Rise for first NSL win of season

Calgary Wild FC notched its first Northern Super League victory of the season Saturday night with a 3-2 comeback win over Vancouver Rise FC in Burnaby, British Columbia.

The breakthrough came at the midseason mark and capped a breakthrough week for Wild FC, which also defeated CS Mont-Royal Outremont 4-0 on Wednesday in W Canadian Championship quarterfinal action.

Teagan Stewart opened scoring from the penalty spot in the 47th minute. Vancouver responded with back-to-back goals from Jessica De Filippo in the 54th and 65th minutes, putting the visitors in a 2-1 hole. But Wild FC refused to fold. Jorian Baucom equalized in the 90th minute, then Keelyn Stewart delivered the winner in the 96th minute, striking into the low left corner.

"Obviously putting home the winner and my first professional goal is amazing. Also to score in the same game as Taegan just adds to that," Keelyn said. "This team has been working so hard this whole season, and it was about time we finally got a win. It shows the determination and work the team has been putting in. To get the win is huge."

Assistant coach Kory Babington credited his squad's resilience and the impact of bench players, including Keelyn Stewart. "The girls have got strong belief," he said. "The substitutes that came into the game were quite influential in the match."

Wild FC (1-12-2 in NSL play) hosts its Pride Match next Saturday against first-place Ottawa Rapid FC.