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Brown, Desa and Strickler helped drive their clubs forward through a standout month of performances

The 2026 Ontario Premier League women’s season continued to showcase the depth of talent developing across the province throughout May.

From OPL1 to OPL3, players across the women’s pathway delivered memorable performances throughout May. This month’s Three Stars recognize one standout player from each division, highlighting the talent on display across the OPL.

Whether leading the line for a playoff contender, powering an unbeaten team from midfield or writing the first chapter of a new club’s history, Olivia Brown, Brianne Desa and Mattson Strickler each enjoyed a month to remember.

Olivia Brown – Guelph United FC (OPL1)

Few players have been as influential for their club over the past several seasons as Guelph United FC forward Olivia Brown.

Now in her fourth season with the club, the 22-year-old returned to Guelph in 2026 following one of the most memorable individual campaigns in team history. Brown scored 20 goals in 20 matches last season, finishing second in league scoring while earning Player of the Year finalist honours and both the club’s MVP and Supporters’ MVP awards.

She has carried that form into the new campaign. Brown earned Team of the Week recognition three times through the opening seven weeks of the season and has continued to be a focal point of Guelph’s attack. Her performances have helped keep the club firmly in the mix near the top of the OPL1 standings, with Guelph sitting fourth and just one point behind third-place Woodbridge Strikers while holding a game in hand.

As the season progresses, Brown continues to demonstrate why she remains one of the division’s premier attacking talents and a player capable of changing a match in an instant.

Brianne Desa – Pickering FC (OPL2)

Pickering FC’s perfect start to the OPL2 season has been one of the league’s biggest stories through the opening months of the campaign, and Brianne Desa has been central to that success.

The 25-year-old midfielder has helped guide Pickering to seven wins from seven matches, giving the club a perfect 21-point record and sole possession of first place in the OPL2 standings. Consistent, composed and effective in both phases of play, Desa has been a key contributor for a side that remains unbeaten.

Her standout moment came on May 31 when she delivered a hat trick in Pickering’s 5-1 victory over Rush Canada Academy. The performance highlighted her attacking quality from midfield and helped extend the club’s impressive undefeated run.

Desa has also earned Team of the Week honours three times through the first seven weeks of the season. As Pickering continues its pursuit of silverware, Desa remains an important piece of the club’s success.

Mattson Strickler – Kingston Sentinels (OPL3)

Kingston Sentinels’ inaugural season could hardly have started better, and Mattson Strickler has played a major role in helping the club make an immediate impression.

The 22-year-old forward first etched her name into the club’s history books in the OPL Cup, scoring the first goal in Kingston Sentinels franchise history against Unionville Milliken SC before adding a second later in a dramatic 3-2 victory.

She followed that up with one of the most remarkable individual performances of the season. On May 10, Strickler scored five goals in a dominant 7-0 victory over International FC, a performance that propelled her to the top of the OPL3 Golden Boot race with six league goals.

Across all competitions, Strickler has scored eight goals while helping Kingston win each of its first four matches. Her record-setting moments and prolific goalscoring form have quickly made her one of OPL3’s standout players.

As the 2026 season approaches its midway point, standout performances continue to emerge across all levels of the Ontario Premier League. Brown, Desa and Strickler each took different paths to this month’s recognition, but all three delivered the consistency, quality and impact that helped define May across OPL1, OPL2 and OPL3.