VANCOUVER — Quinn is no stranger to big games.
The Canadian midfielder won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and has played in league championships. Being part of history on Wednesday, though, was something special.
Quinn scored on a penalty kick, helping the Vancouver Rise to a 1-0 victory over the Calgary Wild in the inaugural Northern Soccer League game.
Stepping on to the field ahead of the kick off of Canada's first women's professional soccer league was a bigger experience than the veteran had anticipated.
"I think I've been in some really big games, and so I thought, ‘Oh, yeah, this will be easy to handle,'" they said. "But then definitely stepping on to the pitch, and seeing (league co-founder) Diana Matheson and (Canadian soccer legend) Christine Sinclair with the ball, and just kind of sinking in how much work's been done to get to this moment, I think I just took that time.
"And that was a pretty surreal moment for me. So it definitely kind of hit my heart in a different way than I thought it would.”
An announced crowd of 14,018 — many clad in teal and black Vancouver Rise scarves — took in the game at B.C. Place.
Before kickoff, Matheson and Sinclair, now a part-owner of the Rise, were recognized on the big screen. Fireworks and Canadian flags stood at midfield, where dozens of young girls clad in jerseys from each of the league's six teams, held shimmering gold discs that created a glittering effect.
“It felt huge, coming in and feeling the support, even before we started the game. We could really feel the crowd," said Rise head coach Anja Heiner-Moller. " Great support in here, and a great start of this league, definitely.”
Players on both teams had been eagerly anticipating the matchup. Many, including Calgary goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec, have long waited to play professional soccer in their home country.
“I’m happy I got the opportunity to play. And it was a surreal experience playing on home soil," she said. "Not the result we wanted, but it was an amazing experience to be a part of history.”
The Rise (1-0-0) controlled play across much of the match, outshooting the Wild (0-1-0) by a margin of 11-8 with a 4-1 edge in on-target shots.
Vancouver got a prime chance in the 14th minute when Lisa Perchersky unleashed a blast from above the 18-yard box, only to see Calgary goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec deftly punch the shot away.
Rise forward Holly Ward looked poised to test the 'keeper again in the 21st minute when she sprinted in with the ball and was cut down by Wild defender Meikayla Moore inside the area. Referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin quickly signalled for a penalty kick.
Quinn stepped up and sent a right-footed shot flying into the net for the first goal in NSL history.
“It's a pretty cool moment," they said. "Not one I thought I'd have. I score goals few and far between, but I think it was just exciting for our team to get on the scoreboard.
"I think that was a bit of a relief for us. It was just such a team effort getting to that point, and it was really exciting to celebrate as a team.”
One of the Wild's best chance of the night came in the 75th minute when Kahli Johnson sliced a pass into the penalty area, looking for Danielle Steer. Vancouver 'keeper Morgan McAslan dropped on to the ball before the Calgary forward could get a foot on it.
The Rise came close to doubling the lead in the 83rd minute when Ward raced up the field with the ball and fired a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. Bukovec dove sideways to make a stop.
There's still ample work to be done in getting the team to where it wants to be, Quinn said.
"I think we were a little bit nervous heading into that match, as everyone knew that we would be. I mean, it's a pretty big game in history," they said. "And so I think, to be honest, we're not going to walk away satisfied with that. I think there's still a lot that we can improve on.”
Wild head coach Lydia Bedford also believes her team has a lot more to give, but said the NSL's first game should whet fans' appetites.
“I think tonight was a great example of how good this league is going to be," she said. "Because if that's the style of games, then for fans to watch, it's going to be a hell of a lot of fun.”
The league's first week of play continues Saturday when AFC Toronto hosts the Montreal Roses at BMO Field.
The Wild will return to play April 26 when they visit the Halifax Tides. The Rise will host the Roses on April 27.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
