Tides knocked out of inaugural W Canadian Championship

Although the match will be considered a draw in their Northern Super League campaign, the Halifax Tides will be gutted to crash out of the inaugural W Canadian Championship 3-2 after squandering a two goal lead at the Wanderers Grounds on Natal Day.

The Tides started brightly on Monday, dominating possession and dictating play with a fluid attack that the Rapid defenders struggled to contain. As has been the case all season, full-back Julianne Vallerand remained a key part of the Tides’ offence, cutting into midfield or overloading the right flank of the pitch at will.

But it was Stella Downing, who missed time earlier this year due to injury, who got Halifax's attack started with a long distance attempt in the 13th minute, which Rapid 'keeper Melissa Dagenais directed over the bar.

The Tides continued their assault, earning several corners and near misses but finished the half unable to crack the Rapid's back line. They recorded eight shots in the opening 45 minutes; only Downing's attempt was on target.

Jordyn Rhodes led the Tides with three shots in the first half and finished with nine attempts in the match.

It didn't take long for the Tides to get on the board after the break as Cho So-Hyun burst down the right side and crossed it to Rhodes, who had her back to goal. She took a touch and turned, firing it into the back of the net in the 48th minute to give her side a 1-0 lead.

The Rapid, of course, immediately pushed back, forcing defensive midfielder Karima Lemire to make a huge block in the 50th minute. But the Tides wouldn't be denied, with Rhodes scoring her second of the match off a goalmouth scramble that should've ended Ottawa's hopes.

Tides assistant coach Katie Barrott went to her bench first, bringing on Kat Jordan for Sydney Kennedy, spurring Rapid head coach Katrine Pedersen to make several of her own changes. And Pedersen's tweaks were rewarded as the Rapid took advantage of a fumbled ball and got on the board thanks to Florence Belzile, who scored within the six-yard box in the 83rd minute. But the Rapid weren't done, tying the match 2-2 only minutes into stoppage time.

Despite the late collapse, the Tides had their opportunities in extra time to take the match as Meredith McDermott was sprung onto goal but had her near-post attempt stopped by Dagenais. Midfielder Sarah Taylor also found herself alone on goal, with her shot trickling past Dagenais, but it was cleared off the line at the last minute by a defender.

One 15 minute block gave way to another and yet the Tides were unable to re-establish their lead. Instead, the Rapid took their first lead in the match as Nicola Golen tapped in a rebound. The Tides continued to push with time winding down but were unable to find an equalizer.

The Tides finished with 30 shots, 12 of which were on target, compared to Ottawa's 25.

Their next match is versus the Montréal Roses on August 7.

Editor's Note: This article is part of our free coverage.