Anika Tóth solid despite Tides' 1-0 loss to AFC Toronto
Tides goalkeeper Anika Tóth had already cemented her place on the squad before teammate and former Canadian international Erin McLeod announced her retirement last week. But Saturday's performance versus AFC Toronto, who sit atop the Northern Super League (NSL), further confirmed the Slovakian-Canadian's importance to the Tides as she was arguably the club's best player in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Tóth, 23, made her 12th appearance for the Tides on Saturday as the group looked to snap a seven match winless skid which has seen them fall out of the playoff picture. Interim head coach Stephen Hart opted to rotate his squad again, re-introducing players like Milly Clegg back into the starting XI while continuing to field recent additions Amanda Allen and Julianne Vallerand in search of an offensive spark.
The first half, however, was quiet until the 35th minute as AFC Toronto lobbed a ball into the box with striker Esther Okoronwkwo crashing in. Tides defender Annika Leslie rose to meet the ball and knocked it back, using her frame to shield it from the Toronto attacker just outside the six-yard box. However, Tóth came out to collect the loose ball just as Okoronwkwo wedged a foot past Leslie, popping it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Only minute later, AFC Toronto's leading goal scorer Kaylee Hunter found herself breaking towards goal alone but Tóth stood tall, making an important save to keep the deficit at one. Tóth ended the match with four saves.
The Tides pushed for an equalizer to close the half, with Clegg getting the best opportunity in close but the New Zealand international was unable to beat 'keeper Sierra Cota-Yarde.
Hart waited until the 60th minute to make substitutions, pulling Karima Lemire and Allen in favour of Sarah Taylor and Sydney Kennedy. They had their best chance in the 72nd minute as Megumi Nakamura, the club's leading scoring with three markers, got her head on a cross but hit the bar.
Halifax — as has been the case all season — were unable to find the back of the net; they've registered a league low 10 goals and have only scored one in their eight match winless streak. The Tides' 12 points places them at the bottom of the NSL table.
The Tides next play Ottawa Rapid FC on September 13.
Cover Photo Credit: Rafe Ayub / Halifax Tides FC
