Local Defender Annika Leslie Returns for Second Season with Tides Backline

Annika Leslie will return to Halifax Tides for her second professional season in the Northern Super League. The Nova Scotia-born athlete brings growing experience and confidence to the backline. Since joining the Tides in June last season, she quickly established herself as a reliable presence.

In 17 appearances, Leslie logged 1,269 minutes, completed 678 passes, made 33 tackles and contributed to two clean sheets. Her combination of composure, defensive awareness and intelligent positioning helped stabilize the Tides defence, while her ability to step into pressure situations showed maturity beyond her years.

Known for reading the game, Leslie balanced defensive responsibility with the ability to help initiate play from the back, giving the squad both reliability and flexibility.

Fans can look forward to seeing Leslie continue to grow and make her mark in her hometown during the 2026 season.