Halifax’s women’s soccer team are turning Tides with new additions adding competition, energy

The Halifax Tides are having a turbulent season but players are eager to move things in the right direction.

Mississauga’s Amanda Allen said she is thrilled to be a part of the Halifax Tides. Especially after notching her first ever Northern Super League goal at the Wanderers Grounds.

“I think Halifax is a great place. Great team, great city overall. And I think the fans are so, so supportive and it’s really nice to be a part of something like that,” said the 20-year-old.

“So, my first goal was actually super special and it was just super exciting for me to be able to be here and help Halifax. And grow women’s soccer also.”

Allen joined the Tides on loan from the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S. Her first goal was the equalizer on Aug. 2 against the Montreal Roses, ensuring Halifax came out with one point from the match.

Allen, along with Tiffany Cameron and Julianne Vallerand round out the new additions, something interim Head Coach, Stephen Hart says he believes adds an edge to the time.

“I think what it’s done, it’s created competition for places, which is healthy,” Hart told CTV Atlantic. “You basically had a team before that was more or less beginning at itself. And now there’s competition for places, and we will see if you don’t handle the competition within your own squad, how are you going to play against the Toronto’s, the Ottawa’s, the Vancouver’s of this league.”

Healthy competition for starting positions is what Hart hopes will light a fire for the players. As of now, the Tides sit last in the standings but are only three points behind Calgary.

“In the last game I was happy that we could come from behind, but I felt we punished ourselves,” added Hart. “We should have done a lot better. And in terms of the chances we created, the finishing was a little bit behind in that respect.”

“But the attitude of the team is good. They’re trying very, very hard to implement. So, in that sense, the approach to training, the intensity at the training sessions has been good. Concentration can lack at times, but I think they’re still learning me a bit, and how I work.”

The attitude of the team was something Allen noticed immediately upon arrival in July.

“I’ve never felt more welcomed into a team,” she said of joining the Tides. “So, I think that has been really, really good. And I think that it’s nice to know that I was welcomed with open arms, but it was nice to know that I would be a big part of the team and that I could really come in and bring my energy, and my kind of experience from playing pro into a team like this, in this environment.”

For the younger players that have been fighting for those starting spots, keeper Anika Toth said that the encouragement from this team is something special.

Especially given the calibre of players, like Erin McLeod.

“The thing about Erin is she’s honestly so genuine and so here for each of the goalkeepers and the players development,” said Toth. “So, I think she really puts a big emphasis on teaching and learning with one another…I learned so much from her, she was asking questions to me, which is kind of amazing to really feel like that.”

“Erin McLeod asked me for advice and have conversations like this. And it’s just absolutely unbelievable. I’ve learned so much from her.”

Playing alongside and against some of the women they grew up watching, the younger generation of players understand the significance of this moment for Canadian women’s soccer.

“Desiree [Scott] and Quinn, obviously as a little girl, watching them play, especially winning Olympic gold medal was absolutely amazing for me,” said Allen.

“I’m more than happy to be here, more than happy to be a part of the first season here. Like, we’re growing women’s soccer in Canada, and I think it’s absolutely amazing,” she added. “What everyone has done and how everyone’s able to come together to make this happen. And it’s super, super special for me to be playing on home soil and especially score my first goal on home soil as well.”

Toth adds that this team rises and falls together, and while they aren’t where they want to be in the standings, they are not out of it yet.

“My team has been very, resilient. That’s the word that we continue to use within our team, is just resilience and trying to bounce back as fast as possible.”

Something they look forward to with the coming match.

The last time they played the Vancouver Rise on Wanderers Grounds, the Tides lost 6-nil, something Toth is choosing to learn from.

“Continuing to grow my presence and my communication and my decision making, especially in possession. Just, being calm on the ball and making the right decision, whether it is to possess and keep the ball with my team or trying to flip it long and go over the top by distribution.”

“So, I think just continuing to work on my decision making and my composure in the backline is a big thing for me,” said Toth.

“I think she blamed herself but came back stronger the next game after the break,” added Hart. “So, she has that mental sort of strength to brush it off and know that you’re going to have games like that. Good times and trying times.”

And they get another chance at trying on Saturday night.

“We’re looking for a little bit of revenge here, especially on our home field. I think it’s going to be big,” said Toth of the rematch against Vancouver.

“The crowd always comes out super loud. So, I think that’s going to help us. And we’re going to have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder for this next one.”

Kick off is at 7pm in Halifax.

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