The Wild streak lives — and this time the Calgary team added another victory to the mix.
Taegan Stewart scored three minutes after halftime Saturday as Calgary Wild FC defeated Halifax Tides FC 1-0 at McMahon Stadium, extending its unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions.
The streak includes four wins and three draws, a dramatic reversal after Wild FC opened its Northern Super League season without a victory in 14 games.
“It’s really exciting to be back,” said Wild head coach Leah Blayney, returning to the bench after a personal leave of just over a month. “We put together a complete performance today, which is what we’ve been chasing.”
Stewart supplied the finish in the 48th minute.
The 18-year-old Calgarian, back in the lineup after joining Canada’s under-20 national team in Poland, converted her opportunity in front of the Wild Rose supporters.
“The goal definitely helped with the confidence,” Stewart said. “I always hope to get on the scoresheet, and I just wanted it in the back of the net.”
Blayney called Stewart “a special player” with a bright future and praised her for making the most of the start.
Calgary-born goalkeeper Sarah Keilty-Dilling handled the rest. Making her third consecutive start, the 33-year-old stopped all three Halifax shots on target to collect her second clean sheet and first professional victory.
Wild FC finished with a 13-12 edge in total shots and placed five attempts on target while possession was evenly divided.
The victory improved the Wild to 3-12-5 and 14 points. They remain sixth in the NSL standings, but moved within 10 points of fourth-place Halifax, which fell to 7-10-3. The top four clubs qualify for the playoffs. Wild FC has five league games remaining, leaving its post-season hopes mathematically alive but still requiring a near-perfect finish and considerable help.
Next comes another serious test. Wild visits Ottawa Rapid FC at TD Place next Sunday at 2 p.m. The Wild beat Ottawa 4-3 during the current streak.
Fourteen matches without a win now feels like a forgotten season.
Seven without a loss feels decidedly Wild.
And they are not finished.
