Calgary Wild FC made it four games unbeaten in the Northern Super League (NSL) with a tense 3-2 win over Halifax Tides FC on Thursday evening, holding off a spirited second-half comeback in front of a lively McMahon Stadium crowd.
Three first-half goals — including a long-range stunner from Ally Green and a milestone strike from 17-year-old Taegan Stewart — were enough to give Calgary the edge, despite a late surge from the Tides, who clawed back two goals in a frenetic second half.
“It was a similar story to the last time we played Halifax,” said Wild head coach Lydia Bedford post-match. “We put the game to bed early and then we let them get a bit of momentum at the start of the second half. But this one maybe even more so.”
Wild set the scene with early aggression
That early dominance was unmistakable. Calgary’s opening goal came in the 24th minute when fullback Ally Green unleashed a thunderbolt from nearly 30 yards out.
Skipper Meggie Dougherty-Howard had fed her from midfield, and Green danced past two defenders before rifling a shot into the top-right corner past a helpless Erin McLeod in goal for Halifax.
Seventeen minutes later, it was Green again involved — this time linking up with fellow fullback Grace Stordy and midfielder Jenaya Robertson for Calgary’s second.
Stordy made a surging run down the right and delivered a low cross that was deflected into Robertson’s path, who coolly slotted it in with her left foot.
Calgary Wild FC beat Halifax Tides 3-2 in Northern Super League action Thursday. Photo courtesy NSL
Just before halftime, Calgary delivered their third blow and the moment belonged to Taegan Stewart. Only hours after graduating from Bishop Carroll High School, Stewart latched onto a perfectly measured ball from Serita Thurton to score her first professional goal.
“It’s been coming for a while. I had a couple of chances over the last couple of matches, but third time is a charm,” said Stewart after the match. “It was really exciting and now I’m wanting more.”
Her sister Keelyn, also in the matchday squad, called it a “long, busy day – a pretty exciting day having graduated high school – but we made it work.”
Tides mount comeback but Calgary Wild FC hold on
The Wild’s halftime lead was commanding, but Halifax were far from finished.
Tides head coach Lewis Page must have clearly delivered a rousing team talk because his side emerged from the tunnel with a renewed sense of urgency.
Just three minutes into the second half, Sara Olai came close to rattling the outside of the post from a free kick. Then came a brilliant save from Calgary goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec, who denied Saorla Miller from close range after a smart cut-back from Sydney Kennedy.
But Halifax’s persistence finally paid off in the 73rd minute.
Second-half substitute Daphnee Blouin created space in the box before feeding Miller, who powered a first-time strike into the roof of the net.
Two minutes later, they had a second — this time from Megumi Nakamura, whose give-and-go with Miller sliced through Calgary’s midfield before she buried a low shot into the bottom corner.
“The league is very competitive,” said Bedford. “They showed that tonight putting two away in the second half.”
Halifax kept pressing for an equalizer with another nervy scramble in Calgary’s six-yard box in the 87th minute nearly leading to disaster. A scuffle broke out in the aftermath, forcing Dougherty-Howard to play peacemaker between both sides.
Seven tense minutes of stoppage time followed, but Calgary held firm to secure the win and extend their strong start to the season despite having rested key players in this match.
Halifax, meanwhile, remain winless but not without heart. Today’s second-half showing was their most potent yet this season and could provide a much-needed springboard.
Calgary Wild return to action at home against AFC Toronto next Saturday, June 14. Halifax Tides, on the other hand, will head back home and host Ottawa Rapid FC on June 10.
