Latifah Abdu scored twice in the first half to lead the Vancouver Rise to a 2-1 win over Ottawa Rapid FC in the first leg of a Northern Super League semifinal on Tuesday.

Ottawa's Delaney Pridham halved the deficit in the second half at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., but the Rise will take a one-goal lead into the next leg of the playoff series.

Vancouver secured the final playoff spot in the NSL after a draw against Halifax Tides FC on Sept. 27.

The second leg of the semifinal between the Rise and Rapid is Saturday at Ottawa's TD Place. WATCH | Abdu scores twice as Rise carry advantage:

2 goals from Abdu gives Rise opening semifinal leg 1 match victory over Rapid FC 2 hours ago | Duration 1:54 Latifah Abdu's two goals early in the NSL semifinal match led her Vancouve

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