Halifax Tides closed out the 2026 regular season with a 1-1 draw against AFC Toronto on Monday night at BMO Field, in what was Stephen Hart’s final match as head coach. With a win needed to reach the playoffs, the Tides pushed until the final whistle but couldn’t find the winner.

Toronto struck first in the 28th minute, when Kaylee Hunter chested down a cross from Nikki Small and finished for her tenth goal of the season. Halifax answered just before the break. In the 44th minute, Saorla Miller struck to level the match at 1-1 and send the Tides into halftime with life.

The second half belonged to Halifax. The Tides controlled the pace and created chance after chance, including an early second half opportunity for Jordyn Rhodes’s in the 59th minute. Saorla Miller pushed through the middle of the pitch, caught the Toronto back line off guard and slipped a ball through to Rhodes, who was in on what looked like a near-perfect breakaway. Her shot went down the middle and was stopped by AFC Toronto goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. 

Hart made five, bringing on Tiffany Cameron (46'), Sheyenne Allen (61'), Annika Leslie (77'), Sarah Taylor (77') and Mackenzie McDermott (85'), but Toronto held on.

It was a tough last fight for a team that has come a long way under Hart: a group that stayed organized, fought for every ball and finished the season a single goal away from the playoffs.

THANK YOU, STEPHEN: Thank you to Stephen Hart for his leadership, his belief in this group and everything he gave to the club and to football in Halifax. The Tides’ second season was one of growth, grit and some of the most exciting football yet, and he led it from the touchline.

DEFENSIVE RECORD: Halifax finished the regular season tied with AFC Toronto for the fewest goals against in the league, with 24 conceded in 25 matches.

UP NEXT: The Tides will turn their attention to the 2027 season, the club’s third NSL season. Place your season ticket deposit here.

MATCH SUMMARY

AFC Toronto - 1 | Halifax Tides FC - 1
Venue: BMO Field
Referee: Salma Flores-Desrochers
Assistants: Vasyl Dzikh, Natalie Berry
Fourth Official: Yusri Rudolf
Referee Observer: Peter Pendli

SCORING SUMMARY
28’ – TOR – K. Hunter
44’ – HFX – S. Miller

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None

STARTING LINEUP & STATS
FW Jordyn Rhodes
FW Syd Kennedy
FW Saorla Miller
MF Julia Benati
MF Cho So-Hyun
MF Julie Pedersen
DF Jubes Vallerand
DF Addy Weichers
DF Kat Jordan
DF Naya Cardoza
GK Anika Tóth

Substitutes used: T. Cameron (for J. Benati, 46'), S. Allen (for S. Kennedy, 61'), A. Leslie (for J. Vallerand, 77'), S. Taylor (for Cho So-Hyun, 77'), M. McDermott (for S. Miller, 85')

Total Shots: 15 | Shots on Goal: 5 | Fouls: 9 | Offsides: 2 | Corner-Kicks: 7 | Saves: 4