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The OPL standouts joined Rapid FC last week, with Bell marking her pro debut with her first NSL goal just one day later

Two of the Ontario Premier League’s very own have officially made the jump to the professional ranks — and one wasted little time making her mark.

Ottawa Rapid FC announced Friday that defenders Elise Bell and Hannah Chown had signed with the Northern Super League club through the remainder of the 2026 season, following standout campaigns in the OPL.

Just one day later, Bell made her professional debut against Vancouver Rise FC at TD Place, and found the back of the net.

Entering the match off the bench, Bell headed home a corner delivered by Melanie Forbes in the 81st minute to score her first NSL goal in her first appearance.

“Obviously my pro debut, it’s crazy,” Bell said following the match. “Even just thinking about it, a week ago, I had no idea I was going to be in Ottawa this week. I was preparing to go into my fourth year at Guelph. So this whole week has been crazy, and obviously coming into my pro debut and getting to score, it’s just an unreal feeling. I keep having to pinch myself that I’m here.”

Chown was also named to an Ottawa Rapid FC matchday squad for the first time on Saturday after signing alongside Bell earlier in the week.

The pair arrive in Ottawa after most recently featuring together for Simcoe County Rovers FC in the inaugural W Canadian Championship, helping the Rovers make history with a 1-0 Quarterfinal victory over Northern Super League side Roses de Montréal FC.

For Chown, the move follows a championship-winning campaign at the heart of Simcoe’s back line. The 24-year-old defender played a key role as the Rovers captured their second consecutive OPL1 Women’s title while completing the 2026 regular season unbeaten.

Chown was also recognized among the OPL’s Three Stars of the Month earlier this season following an impressive June in which she played every minute of Simcoe’s unbeaten month. She helped the Rovers record three clean sheets while also contributing a goal as the club continued its march toward another OPL1 championship.

Bell, meanwhile, joins the professional ranks following a memorable 2026 OPL campaign with Guelph United. The versatile defender was named MVP of the 2026 Women’s OPL Cup Final after scoring twice in Guelph’s 5-0 victory over Hamilton United to lift the trophy.

Following the conclusion of Guelph’s OPL1 season, Bell joined Simcoe County Rovers as a replacement player ahead of the club’s W Canadian Championship Quarterfinal, where she featured alongside Chown in the historic victory over the Roses.

The Toronto native had already built an impressive résumé within the Ontario pathway before making the move to Ottawa. Bell spent her first two OPL seasons with North Toronto Nitros, making 42 appearances and scoring 16 goals. Her 2025 campaign saw her earn Young Player of the Year and Defender of the Year honours, as well as a place on the league’s First Team All-Star squad.

Bell has also established herself at the U SPORTS level with the University of Guelph Gryphons, earning Second Team All-Canadian honours in both 2024 and 2025.

From OPL champions and individual accolades to making history on the national stage, Chown and Bell now take the next step in their respective journeys with Ottawa Rapid FC — with Bell already adding her first professional goal to the list.

The OPL duo will next have an opportunity to feature when Ottawa Rapid FC travels to BMO Field to face AFC Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. ET.