The Tides have turned as Halifax FC claims first win of inaugural season

The Halifax Tides record their first win of the season.

The Halifax Tides gave home fans a show by scoring their first win of the season Tuesday.

“We just had a great team win, which was huge,” said winger Syd Kennedy.

“We’ve been long overdue, and I think it all came together last night. So very happy.”

On a rainy night, the Tides hosted the Ottawa Rapid at the Wanderers Grounds in downtown Halifax in front of 3,140 fans.

“I think we knew the job that needed to be done and I think, before the game, you could tell that the vibes were there,” explained Kennedy of their 2-1 win over Ottawa.

“We were locked in, but we also had a sense of looseness and positivity to us and I think I could tell from before the game even started, I had a good feeling about that one.”

After giving up the lead to Ottawa’s Olivia Scott with a header off a corner kick in the first half, the Tides came rolling in in the second, as the players were extra physical and dominant on the ball.

After an initial strike by Kennedy, Halifax’s Megumi Nakamura found the rebound and sent it past Melissa Dagenais in the 57TH minute.

Kennedy says she has been waiting all season for that assist.

“I think at times like your legs give up, but your heart keeps going. So that kind of played a role last night for sure,” she said.

With the game tied at one, a beautiful corner kick by Kennedy in the 66th minute gave Gunny Yrsa Jonsdottir the opportunity for a goal. But, after a ruffle in the crease, Ottawa was able to clear the ball.

Revenge would be sweet for the Tides at the 74th minute mark when another perfectly placed corner by Kennedy saw a couple of chances before Jonsdottir one-timed the ball to the far post, and the bounce went in.

“Whether it was me scoring or someone on the team, it didn’t really matter,” said Jonsdottir on her first goal of the season. “Just that we got the win was so important, some of the girls getting their first professional win.”

Kennedy, saw it differently.

“It’s a long overdue thing that Gunny puts it in the back of the net and it’s an absolute banger,” said the winger. “That’s a movie type thing like that it would go in the way that it did. She’s just a great leader, someone that I look up to every single day. She coaches me every day and helps me become the player that I am.”

For the first time in Halifax’s history, they led at home.

It would be a fight until the end with Ottawa pushing ahead, causing a chance with a corner kick in extra time to try and even the score.

Kiley Norkus saved the day by blocking the shot with a header on the goal line, and that final whistle blew indicating the Tides claim three points for the first time this year.

For keeper Erin McLeod, this moment stands amongst the others.

“Gunny’s goal was fantastic but just for us to come back and then keeping it until the end, and just that mindset,” said the keeper. “I was cheering with Kylie like we had won the World Cup before the game was over and, I think at the end, it just really showed how much it means to everybody. So, it was a really, very special moment,” she said.

Post game the team had nothing but praise for the fluidity of there teammates and the fans, who show up rain or shine in Halifax.

“I think it just summed up the power of the East Coast. You know, I’ve only been here for a few months now, and I just feel such a sense of home, whenever I’m around people from the East coast,” said Barrott.

“But especially when we play at Wanderers Grounds.”

Putting together a complete game was Halifax’s goal in their 7th contest of the season.

“We kind of had a conversation that the pieces of the puzzle were there this whole season, but it was the first time where I felt like they’d all come together, you know, for the playing as a group,” said assistant coach Katie Barrott. “I thought we looked like a team that was proud to play at home and in front of those fans that have really made it a home for us already.”

And with the team around them, the players believed heading into this match.

“We have such an amazing culture on this team. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever played on the team with such a family type of bond,” explained Kennedy. “And so, to be able to do that with the people that you love beside you, and then the fan base is as incredible as it is.”

“I’ve always said, it’s the best city in the world, best place in the world to play in. And it’s just amazing to be able to kind of get rewarded and to also reward the people that have shown up for us time and time again in the rain.”

Still, they have an uphill battle as they sit six points behind the next team, Toronto AFC, in the standings.

But with the team gelling, the women on this squad believe in each other.

“I’m really putting my heart on the line for the girls. I love the team. I love the environment,” said Kennedy. “And just to be able to get that win for the fans, they deserve it just as much as we do. So, it’s amazing to do it at home. And I know they burdened the weather there for a little bit, so it’s great to get the win for sure.”

As for Ottawa, they sit second after the loss.

It wasn’t all bad news for Scott. The Rapid game-day captain told media about an interview she did before the Northern Super League started when she manifested her first goal of the season by telling a reporter about something she hoped to achieve in the league.

“I said, ‘I’d like to score a header on Erin McLoud.’ So that was a pretty happy moment for me,” she said.

“I didn’t want to tell Erin McLoud that because she would have been like ‘the scoreboard’.”

Halifax’s next game will be in Toronto on June 21.

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