Halifax Tides FC and Montréal Roses FC battled to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night at Wanderers Grounds, trading blows in a lively second half that saw three goals scored in the space of just seven minutes. Halifax twice took the lead, but Montréal showed resilience to fight back and earn a valuable point in the playoff seeding race.

The result keeps Montréal in third place, now level on points and record with Ottawa Rapid FC as the race for second intensifies. For Halifax, already eliminated from contention, it marked a third straight draw as they continue to play spoiler and finish their season on a high note.

Miller Heads Halifax in Front
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Halifax earned a corner after a spell of pressure in the attacking third. The delivery curled toward the edge of the box, where Saorla Miller rose above her marker to meet it cleanly with a powerful header. The ball arced over the Montréal keeper and dipped under the bar, sparking celebrations from the Wanderers Grounds faithful. It was a well-taken finish that showcased both Miller’s timing and determination, and it handed Halifax a deserved lead after withstanding early Montréal possession.

Goals Fly in Second-Half Surge
Montréal drew level in the 67th minute thanks to Charlotte Bilbault, who smashed home a volley into the top of the net to make it 1-1. But just three minutes later, Miller struck again for Halifax, showing quick feet to carve out space before rifling a shot into the upper corner to restore the lead at 2-1.

The drama didn’t stop there. In the 73rd minute, Chae-Rim answered back for Montréal with a composed finish, slotting home the equalizer to tie the match 2-2. Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages, but the defenses held firm to split the points.

Match Stats

• Possession: Montréal held 60% of the ball and controlled much of the tempo.
• Total Shots: Halifax were the more direct side, firing 21 attempts to Montréal’s 12.
• Passing Accuracy: Montréal were sharper in possession at 81% compared to Halifax’s 75%.

Looking Ahead
Montréal (10-7-6, 36 points) remain in third but are now neck-and-neck with Ottawa Rapid in the battle for second place and higher playoff seeding. They return home to face Vancouver Rise FC on October 11, where finding goals will be crucial though they’ll be up against the league’s top shot-stopper in Morgan McAslan, who has frustrated attackers all season.

Halifax (3-13-7, 16 points) extend their unbeaten run to three matches and continue to show grit despite being out of playoff contention. With Saorla Miller emerging as a bright attacking spark and the back line holding firm in recent weeks, the Tides are building a foundation they’ll hope to carry into next season. They’ll travel west to face Calgary Wild FC on October 11, aiming to close out the campaign with pride and momentum.

For full match statistics, lineups, and a detailed play-by-play, visit the official NSL match page.