Published Apr 26, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute readCalgary Wild FC’s Meikayla Moore celebrates their second goal of the first half against Halifax Tides FC in a Northern Super League game at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Saturday. Photo by Tim Krochak /Chronicle HeraldThousands of people showed up to the Wanderers Grounds on Saturday to celebrate the launch of women’s professional soccer in Halifax but Calgary Wild FC turned it into a somewhat bittersweet occasion.Before the near capacity crowd even got their cold bleacher seats warmed, the guests from Alberta scored two goals to hijack the narrative of Halifax Tides FC’s historic debut. It dampened the occasion momentarily and the Wild went on to win the Northern Super League game 4-1 but all of it still couldn’t erase the magnitude of what it all meant to the local sports landscape.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I never dreamed something like this could ever happen here,” said Tides midfielder Saorla Miller, who is from Halifax. “It’s really a credit to the people that believed in the league – Diana Matheson starting it and then the founders in Halifax believing in us. And just look what happened. This is amazing.”Calgary scored in the second and seventh minute to stun both the crowd and the Tides, then added a third goal in the 25th. The 3-0 lead was more than enough to secure the win, even though Tides midfielder Marika Guay briefly provided some hope when she scored the franchise’s first-ever goal in the 60th minute to make it 3-1. But it really seemed like just an unfortunate combination of bad luck and nerves at the start.Article content“It was all of that and we were also getting used to a new surface,” said Tides midfielder Sydney Kennedy. “The more we play on it, the more we’ll get used to it.“But the crowd was amazing and it’s great to see Halifax out here supporting us like this,” she added. “We know what we need to work on and we’ll come out next time and show what we’ve learned.”The weather was also less than ideal with a seven degree reading at kickoff but it could’ve been much worse. The forecast called for steady rain, but outside of an early shower, the skies cooperated and the fans stayed in good cheer despite the challenging conditions.Just like at Halifax Wanderers games, the supporters in the bleachers at the downtown end of the field cheered and banged drums from start to finish, set off a few purple smoke clouds and generally brought familiar Nova Scotia soccer energy.Article content“It was amazing,” Miller said. “It was better than I dreamed. Everyone came out, even in the rain, and they were behind us the whole game. We could hear them the whole game. Of course, we’re really disappointed with the result but no matter what was happening, the crowd was behind us. That felt amazing.”Another part of the script that couldn’t be spoiled was the Nova Scotia imprint on the field. Locals Miller and Kennedy (Fall River) were two of the most effective players for the Tides, making several quality runs down the wings and generating a healthy portion of the team’s scoring chances. Bridgewater’s Sarah Taylor also entered the game in the second half and performed well.“It feels even better to be from here and playing at home,” Miller said. “It’s indescribable. I’m really disappointed in the result because it was our first time at home but we’ve just got to keep our heads up and move forward.”Added Kennedy: “It’s surreal to see people in the crowd we grew up with. And to be able to be a role model now for some of the kids here, it’s an amazing experience.”Kahli Johnson, with two, Meikayla Moore and Meggie Dougherty-Howard had the goals for Calgary. Next up for the Tides is a road game against the Vancouver Rise on May 5.“This was a learning experience,” Kennedy said. “We showed up and we played for each other but there’s a lot we need to improve.”“We just need to keep training and keep working on things. We’re a new team so we’re still learning how to play with each other. We’ll learn.”Article content
Halifax Tides make bittersweet history with debut of pro women’s soccer in Nova Scotia
