Sports
Vancouver Goldeneyes Outlast Seattle Torrent in Wild OT Finish to Open a New Era
Vancouver’s new PWHL team couldn’t have asked for a louder welcome. Nearly 15,000 fans packed into the Pacific Coliseum on Friday night for the Goldeneyes’ first-ever game, and they got a thriller out of it: a 4–3 overtime win over the Seattle Torrent that felt like the launch of a fierce west coast rivalry.
It was the debut for both expansion teams, and the energy in the rink felt almost too big to contain. Christine Sinclair handled the ceremonial puck drop, Meghan Agosta delivered the puck, and the crowd was already buzzing by the time the opening faceoff hit the ice.
Seattle struck first. Julia Gosling made history with the Torrent’s inaugural goal late in the opening period, then added a second minutes later. Vancouver replied quickly, with Sarah Nurse scoring the first goal in Goldeneyes history after picking off a turnover and snapping one home. She later said the whole night felt different with the arena, the atmosphere, the fact that this team finally has a place built for them.
Vancouver spent most of the night playing catch-up. They pushed early but couldn’t solve Seattle goalie Corinne Schroeder, who was sharp from the jump. It wasn’t until the third period that things cracked open again, when Gabby Rosenthal tied the game 2–2 less than a minute in. Seattle answered back with a goal from Hannah Bilka, putting the Torrent up again with just over six minutes left.
The Goldeneyes looked calm, though. Abby Boreen said the coaches kept things simple: don’t panic, just keep grinding. And that’s exactly what Claire Thompson did when she jumped up late, buried the tying goal, and sent the game to overtime. Thompson also picked up an assist earlier, giving her a two-point night and a big role in shaping the Goldeneyes’ first chapter.
Overtime didn’t last long. Tereza Vanišová tore up the ice and threaded a pass across the slot to Boreen, who shoveled it in just 1:46 into the extra frame. The building blew up. The Goldeneyes finally had their first win, and they did it without holding a lead during regulation.
Maschmeyer made 24 saves in the win, her first season-opening victory after back-to-back losses with Ottawa. Schroeder stopped 23 at the other end.
There were plenty of other pieces of history sprinkled throughout the night. Jenn Gardiner became the first B.C.-born Goldeneye to record a point. The starting lineup featured three local forwards: Gardiner, Hannah Miller, and Katie Chan. A handful of rookies made their PWHL debuts, including Vancouver’s Michelle Karvinen and Madison Samoskevich, and Seattle’s Jenna Buglioni, who grew up just across the border in Port Moody. Hilary Knight tallied her 20th career assist. Gosling posted her second multi-goal game in the league. And Vancouver became the league’s first team to play its home opener with its own logo painted at center ice.
But the biggest storyline was the scene inside the Coliseum. The Goldeneyes are the first PWHL team to anchor their own arena, and the place looked fully transformed: merch booths overflowing, fresh branding everywhere, and fans wearing blue in every direction. The attendance of 14,958 cracked the top ten in league history.
Head coach Brian Idalski said the atmosphere felt unreal and that the team’s resilience impressed him. There were mistakes, sure, but nothing he seemed too worried about for opening night.
By the time the players left the ice, people were still lingering in the stands. It felt like something had shifted for the sport in the city.
The Goldeneyes head out on the road next, facing Ottawa on Wednesday. Seattle returns home to host Minnesota on Nov. 28.
If Friday was any hint, this new west coast chapter is going to be fun.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.