Ottawa Rapid FC’s Stella Downing defends against Halifax Tides FC’s Sydney Kennedy during Northern Super League action in Halifax on Wednesday. Photo by Tim Krochak /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThe Halifax Tides’ inaugural season was a mix of highs and lows.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 contentThe Northern Super League team wrapped up its first year on Wednesday at the Wanderers Grounds and the players reflected on the winding road that got them there.Article contentArticle content“It means the world to all of us to be here with our family and friends and all of these fans,” midfielder Sarah Taylor said. “I’ve done a lot of coaching in Nova Scotia, so to be around kids that I coached five years ago or 10 years ago and to see them in the stands or around the game, it’s so special for me. And I think that just for women’s soccer, in general, now kids can look at this and dream to play here, too. So many of us didn’t have that dream because we didn’t even think it could exist. So to have that now is just so special.”Article contentArticle contentThe brand new six-team NSL launched coast-to-coast in Canada back in the spring and the Tides debuted in Halifax in front of a full house on April 26 against Calgary Wild FC. They fell 4-1 in their debut and it, unfortunately, set a challenging tone for the new franchise.Article contentThe Tides only wound up winning three of their 25 games and missed the playoffs but there were only smiles and positive vibes as they lingered together on the field for a long stretch after Wednesday’s game.Article content“There were times when I had that long face or got down because we weren’t getting the results we wanted or we lost the last couple of games in a row. It felt hard once in a while,” Taylor said. “But whenever I voiced that opinion to either my family or a fan after a tough loss, they always reminded me that that’s not what this is all about. This is about building a women’s league and it’s the first year for the team and it’s the first year for our league.Article contentArticle content“It’s not always going to be amazing, but you see the young girls and boys here, and all of these fans or parents that probably wished growing up they had a league like this to play in. We get to be professional athletes here in Halifax. So the main goal is that we’re inspiring this generation and this part of Canada and this part of the world. So I think that, at the end of the day, yeah, we didn’t get the results we wanted and we’re going to change that for the next years to come, but the real win of this season is just the growth and visibility we’ve had around women’s sports.”Article content Halifax Tides FC’s Megumi Nakamura strikes the ball for a goal against Ottawa Rapid FC keeper Melissa Dagenais during Northern Super League action in Halifax on Wednesday. Photo by Tim Krochak /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentHalifax’s final record was 3-15-7 to put them in last place but the fans embraced the city’s first-ever women’s professional soccer venture and the players reciprocated with a gratitude and commitment that kept spirits high despite the losing.Article content“We’ve established a team now and we’ve watched youth come and watch us play. We can only build from here. It’s only up from here,” said defender Annika Leslie
Halifax Tides wrap up inaugural NSL season: ‘It’s only up from here’
