Game Recap
Teenage Twins Lead Calgary Wild FC to First Northern Super League Victory of Season
The Calgary Wild FC’s Stewart twins delivered the biggest moments of their young professional soccer careers on Saturday night in Vancouver.
Taegan and Keelyn Stewart both score in thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Vancouver Rise FC
CALGARY — The Calgary Wild FC’s Stewart twins delivered the biggest moments of their young professional soccer careers on Saturday night in Vancouver.
The 18-year-old twin sisters – Taegan and Keelyn Stewart – combined for two of the most important goals in club history, leading Calgary to its first Northern Super League victory in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Vancouver Rise FC.
The victory came at the midway point of the Northern Super League season, capping a breakthrough week for Calgary Wild FC, who have now won back-to-back matches after capturing the inaugural W Canadian Championship with a commanding 4-0 victory over Club Soccer Mont-Royal Outremont on Wednesday.
For the young Stewart sisters, Saturday night was even more memorable.
Taegan Stewart kicked things off for the visitors, calmly converting a penalty kick in the 47th minute to give Calgary its first lead of the night.
Vancouver responded with a pair of goals from Jessica De Filippo, who found the back of the net in the 54th and 65th minutes to put the Rise in front.
But the Wild FC refused to fold.
Calgary continued to battle through the final minutes of regulation, with Jorian Baucom heading home the equalizer in the 90th minute.
With momentum firmly on Calgary’s side, the Wild FC continued to push deep into stoppage time. In the 96th minute, Keelyn Stewart matched her sister’s theatrics, delivering the moment the Club had been waiting for when she booted the ball into the low left corner to give Calgary a 3-2 lead, and its first win of the year.
“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,” said Keelyn Stewart. “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. I’m just so proud of this team and I’m super proud to get my first goal. We’ll keep building from here.”
The result continued the momentum Calgary established Wednesday in the W Canadian Championship, where the Wild FC put together its most complete performance of the season. Calgary carried the confidence and belief established in that match with them to Vancouver.
“Yeah, it felt really good to get that first win,” said Mya Jones following her two-goal performance against Club Soccer Mont-Royal Outremont. “I think it’s kind of just something we needed to build off for the rest of the year. It just felt really good to have that chemistry on the field with the girls.”
That chemistry was on full display Saturday.
Assistant coach, Kory Babington, credited his team’s belief and the impact of the players who came off the bench, including Keelyn Stewart, for helping Calgary complete the comeback.
“We developed a bit of rhythm with the ball and started the first half really well. We deserved an early goal in the second half,” said Babington, who continues to guide the club with head coach Leah Blayney away for personal reasons.
“A couple of defensive lapses led to (Vancouver) getting the lead, but the girls have got strong belief. The substitutes that came into the game were quite influential in the match.”
Babington said the performance was another indication of the growth taking place within the new-look Calgary squad, who added four new faces to their roster over the last two weeks.
“It is quite a strong squad, and the girls do believe they are improving all of the time,” added Babington. “We had some good chances and the girls got what they deserved today.”
The Wild FC will now look to carry its newfound momentum into its return home, August 15 at 2 p.m. MDT, when the Club hosts its Pride Match while welcoming the first-place Ottawa Rapid FC to the Stamped city.
About Calgary Wild FC
Calgary Wild FC is one of six teams in the newly created Northern Super League which began in 2025, and continues to feature some of the best women’s soccer players in the world. Shop our exclusive merch and be one of the early #fansinthewild. For the latest news and information on Calgary Wild FC, visit www.calgarywildfc.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and X. Follow the league at www.nsl.ca.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Calgary Wild FC
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: hpprchris@shaw.ca