Northern Super League's opening week gets positive reviews but more hard work awaits

Week 1 of the Northern Super League is done, to positive reviews. Now the hard work really begins.

High-profile opening games at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium and Toronto's BMO Field drew announced crowds of 14,018 and 14,518.

Vancouver Rise FC raised the curtain on the six-team league with a 1-0 win over Calgary Wild FC on Wednesday, thanks to a Quinn penalty. And Montreal Roses FC hung on for a 1-0 victory over AFC Toronto on Saturday after Tanya Boychuk turned a defensive blunder into a second-minute winner.

Kevin Blue, CEO and general secretary of Canada Soccer, believes the new league will have a lasting effect.

"I think certainly [it will] solidify and continue to accelerate Canada as a global leader in women's football," he told reporters at halftime of the Toronto game.

WATCH | Rise FC's Quinn scores 1st goal in NSL history:

Quinn leads Vancouver Rise FC over Calgary Wild FC in inaugural NSL match

Blue, who was also at the Vancouver opener, paid tribute to league co-founder Diana Matheson.

"It's just amazing what Diana has been able to build here and I think it's important that everyone recognize that," he said. "The perseverance, the determination, the savvy, the business skills, the entrepreneurial spirit. It's just an extraordinary accomplishment. And it's such an amazing contribution to the growth of women's football in Canada."

The future was on display Saturday, from Toronto's 17-year-old forward Kaylee Hunter and 22-year-old midfielder Nikki Small to Montreal's standout 23-year-old goalkeeper Anna Karpenko.

While the football in both opening games was a little scrappy, as one might expect from teams taking their first steps, there was plenty to admire.

"Women in Quebec, women in Canada, they deserve