After starting the season with 12 losses in 14 matches, Calgary Wild finally won their first pair of matches this season. First they took a huge win in the W Canadian Championship last Wednesday, before upsetting Vancouver on Saturday. That wasn't the only upset of the week as Halifax Tides took down #2 Montréal Roses while fourth place AFC Toronto drew with league leaders Ottawa Rapid.
Another piece of NSL news dropped just a few days ago with the announcement that the NSL Final will be hosted by Ottawa Rapid at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, ON. The Final is set for Saturday, 14 November, which could very well provide some snow for the Matheson Cup Final.
W Canadian Championship
Wednesday, 5 August
Calgary Wild 4–0 CS Mont-Royal Outremont (QC)
Hosting the match at ATCO Field just outside of Calgary rather than their home of McMahon Stadium didn't phase the Wild at all on Wednesday. Participating in just the second match in W Canadian Championship history a win not only would get the Wild to the Semi-Finals, but was massively needed for the struggling club.
Calgary dominated from the opening whistle, but didn't hit the back of the net until the half-hour mark, thanks to an own goal from CSMRO. After just a single goal in the first half the Wild broke out in the second half, scoring their other three goals, with the first coming in the 46th minute from Mya Jones. Taylor Otto got Calgary's second on a header following a corner and the Wild wrapped up the night with a 85th minute goal from Serita Thurton.
Round 16 Matches
Friday, 7 August
Montréal Roses 0–1 Halifax Tides
One goal was all Halifax needed to come away with a massive upset win in Laval and push themselves into a more secure position as the march to the playoffs starts. 30 minutes in the Roses had a chance to take the lead on a penalty following a foul inside the box. Elyse Bennett was unable to score on the penalty thanks to a diving save from Tides goalkeeper Anika Tóth.
Just before the end of the first half the Tides were able to secure the only goal of the night. Julia Benati picked up a loose ball inside the box and without taking an instant to corral the ball, she put in a shot to the low corner to put Halifax up right before the break and ultimately score the match winner.
