'I'm just so proud of the team': Tides top Ottawa Rapid FC for first win in club history
The story at halftime was one Tides fans had seen before: their club was trailing, having conceding off a set piece, under pressure, and the weather was positively miserable. But an explosive second half — highlighted by captain Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir's match winner — secured the Tides' first win in club history and gave fans and players alike a night to remember.
Jónsdóttir said the 2-1 win over the Ottawa Rapid was a weight off the squad's shoulders.
"I think we've been progressing in the games and been unlucky. It finally just went our way. The girls have been working so hard and they deserve this win. It's amazing to finally get it and I'm going to be honest, it's a weight off of our shoulders," she said post-match.
"I'm just so proud of the team."
The Tides began Tuesday's match versus the Rapid somewhat slowly. And the Rapid struck first with Olivia Scott heading a corner kick past Halifax goalkeeper Erin McLeod to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal, scored in the 14th minute, is the third time the Tides have conceded first while playing at home at the Wanderers Grounds.
McLeod, however, was untroubled and made a number of saves — including a diving block against the Rapid's Julia Benati — to keep the visitor's from running away with the score.
The second half was easily the strongest 45 minutes of football the Tides have played together as the players looked hungry to re-write the script. Midfielder Karima Lemire got things started with a powerful shot in the 54th minute, forcing Rapid's 'keeper Melissa Dagenais to scramble, and marked a shift in the match.
A few minutes later, Tides winger Sydney Kennedy drove into the middle of the pitch and took a shot, which was deflected. The ball landed to Megumi Nakamura, who pounced, and beat Dagenais with a strike to the top right corner to level the score. The Japanese attacker now has two goals in her last two matches.
The Tides kept up their pressure but it wasn't until the 74th minute that they were able to take the lead. Once again on a corner — Halifax has 12 corner kicks in the match — Kennedy sent the ball into the box. It pinged around until Jónsdóttir managed to volley it with her right foot, giving the Tides their first lead at home this season.
However, the closing minutes weren't without drama as the Rapid looked to equalize. With only seconds remaining, Ottawa's players crashed the box and in the ensuing scramble Tides full-back Kiley Norkus had to head the ball off the line to preserve the win. Tuesday's victory not only marked the Tides' first win in club history but also a highwater line offensively as they managed 21 shots — their best showing this season — and scored two goals in successive matches.
Norkus thanked the fans for helping the club get one in the win column.
"We feel the vibes, we feel the Tides' vibes, and it's seriously a game changer. The fans, the girls, the coaches, the environment, it's all finally come to a win. Now, we use that momentum to move forward," she said.
Head coach Lewis Page added Tuesday's win was the natural progression given his squad's improving performances.
"They've been better and better with every game," he said. "They worked really hard to get this result and they probably deserved it in a couple other games. It's nice that they get rewarded for that."
But the Tides still have work to do as they sit last on the Northern Super League table with four points. The Vancouver Rise, Calgary Wild and Ottawa Rapid sit closest to Halifax with 11 points each. It remains to be seen if the club can parlay the joy of their first win into further results.
Cover Photo Credit: Northern Super League
