Electric City Football Club Women's Team Fall to North Toronto Nitros, 3-1

It was the first home loss for the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) women’s team after the North Toronto Nitros got a 3-1 win on Wednesday night.

ECFC captain Holly O’Neill (middle) shakes off two North Toronto Nitro players to get a pass off to a teammate. O’Neill is tied in the league with five other players for fifth in the league in goals scored. Photo by Luke Best.

The loss puts ECFC at a 3-2 record and tied for seventh in the league of 20 teams.

The Nitros struck first as Olivia Smith scored off a penalty kick in the 13th minute to gain the lead.

Toronto extended their score early in the second half as Morgan Fenton crashed the net and scored off a pass to net the second goal in the 48th minute.

Electric City quickly responded seven minutes later as Kayla McQueen scored off a fast break to put Peterborough on the scoreboard. The goal was McQueen’s team-leading fifth goal of the season and fourth-leading in the league.

"Something like that uplifts your whole team and it gives you another push to go forward and that's really what we needed at that moment.,” said Hailey Walsh, ECFC midfielder.

Toronto was able to seal their victory with a third goal as Smith scored in the 72nd minute (her second of the match).

Peterborough had scoring chances with a late push but came up short in the final minutes of the game.

ECFC head coach Randy Ribeiro said Toronto was the better team that night but had faith that ECFC can stand up to any opponent.

"I have full trust in the players that we have. I think they're all fantastic. said Riberio. "They were brought in here because they fit in with what it is what we're trying to do here so I know what this team is capable of. It's one step in a long journey."

The women’s team plays Guelph Union next on the road on Sunday at 4 p.m. The men’s team plays the Prostars FC at home this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.