Halifax Tides FC earned a hard-fought point on Sunday afternoon, holding league-leaders AFC Toronto to a 1-1 draw at York Lions Stadium. In a match that saw both goals come in the first half, Halifax weathered Toronto’s pressure and dug in defensively to deny the hosts all three points.

Toronto, already assured of a playoff spot, dominated possession and created the better of the chances but were unable to find a winner against a disciplined Halifax side. The result extends Toronto’s lead at the top of the table but keeps the door open for chasing sides heading into the final weeks of the season.

Cameron Breaks the Deadlock
The visitors struck first in the 27th minute through Tiffany Cameron, who marked her first NSL goal with a composed low finish into the corner of the net. The strike stunned the home crowd and gave Halifax a 1-0 advantage against the run of play.

Okoronkwo Levels from the Spot
Toronto responded just 11 minutes later after drawing a foul inside the box. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up to take the penalty and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way, slotting home the equalizer to make it 1-1 before halftime.

The second half saw Toronto push relentlessly for a winner, forcing Halifax deep and peppering the goal with attempts, but the visitors stayed organized and preserved the draw through the final whistle.

Match Stats

• Possession: Toronto controlled 53% of the ball and dictated the tempo for much of the match.
• Total Shots: The home side outshot Halifax 11 to 5 but couldn’t convert their second-half pressure into a decisive goal.
• Passing Accuracy: Both clubs finished with 81% passing success in a tightly contested match.

Looking Ahead
Toronto (13-6-3, 45 points) stay at the top of the table and now turn their attention to a high-stakes showdown with second-place Ottawa Rapid FC on September 26 — a match that could have major implications for the Supporters’ Shield race.

Halifax (3-13-5, 14 points), already eliminated from playoff contention, will look to play spoiler when they return home to host Vancouver Rise FC on September 27 in their final home match of the season.

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