In a spirited midweek showdown on Wednesday, Vancouver Rise FC secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Halifax Tides FC at Swangard Stadium. The result lifts Vancouver to a 2-1-2 record on the season.
Tides Strike First
Halifax opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a composed finish from forward Saorla Miller. After a clever build-up through the midfield, Miller found space at the top of the box and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead and silencing the home crowd early.
The Tides looked confident in the opening half-hour, controlling territory and limiting Vancouver’s ability to create chances in transition. Halifax’s midfield worked diligently to disrupt the Rise’s rhythm, but Vancouver began to find their footing as the half progressed.
Momentum Shifts Before the Break
Vancouver leveled the score in the 39th minute. Midfielder Lisa Pechersky made a well-timed run into the box and met a low cross with a right-footed shot from close range, tucking it past the keeper to make it 1-1.
Just five minutes later, Vancouver took the lead. A perfectly placed delivery from the right wing found forward Mariah Lee, who rose above her marker and nodded the ball home with a powerful header from the center of the box. The quickfire double stunned Halifax and sent the Swangard supporters into celebration as the Rise entered halftime up 2-1.
Match Highlights
- Possession and Passing: Vancouver edged the battle for possession with 51%, maintaining composure under pressure and connecting passes at key moments across all thirds.
- Shots on Target: The Rise produced 4 shots on target to Halifax’s 2, capitalizing on crucial opportunities late in the first half to secure the win.
- Total Touches: Both sides were active on the ball in a tightly contested match, with Vancouver registering 741 total touches to Halifax’s 727 - a testament to the game's high tempo and even flow.
Looking Ahead
Vancouver Rise FC continues to build momentum and now sits in the top half of the table with ten points from five matches. They’ll look to extend their unbeaten run when they face Calgary on Saturday, May 24.
Halifax Tides FC, still seeking their first win of the campaign, will head into the international break with time to regroup. They return to action on June 5 with an away match against Calgary Wild FC at McMahon Stadium.
For full match statistics, lineups, and the live match feed, visit the official NSL game page: