Ottawa Rapid Turn It Around in Style
Ottawa Rapid delivered an electric performance at home on Saturday, rallying from a 2-1 deficit to dismantle the visiting Calgary Wild 5-2 in Northern Super League play — a result that will have fans buzzing heading into the rest of the season.
It was Keera Melenhorst who sparked the turnaround. The forward scored twice in the first half, giving Ottawa the foothold they needed after Calgary had grabbed the early advantage and briefly threatened to steal the show.
A Rocky Start, Then a Statement
Calgary came out sharp, jumping to a 2-1 lead early and making things uncomfortable for the home side. But the Rapid didn't rattle. Instead, they dug in, leaned on Melenhorst's clinical finishing, and gradually wrestled control of the match.
By the time the dust settled, Ottawa had poured in five goals — a clinical and convincing statement win that showcased both the team's depth and their resilience when things don't go to plan.
What It Means for the Rapid
The Northern Super League is still in its early stages as a professional women's soccer league, and results like this matter for building momentum, confidence, and a fanbase. Ottawa has been one of the clubs generating genuine buzz, and a big home win against a western opponent is exactly the kind of result that puts people in seats.
For Melenhorst specifically, a brace in a comeback win is the sort of performance that cements a player's connection with the home crowd. Ottawa fans now have a name to cheer for.
Women's Pro Soccer Is Arriving in Ottawa
The NSL represents a landmark moment for women's professional soccer in Canada, and Ottawa's inclusion in the league has been a point of local pride. Saturday's match is part of that larger story — a city embracing its team, and a team rewarding that support with quality football.
With the home side now showing they can come from behind and score five goals in a game, there's plenty of reason for optimism the rest of the way.
Source: CBC Sports / CBC Ottawa RSS feed
