Sierra Cota-Yarde earns her eighth NSL clean sheet with a career-high of six saves as Toronto remains unbeaten through two games
Toronto, ON (May 3, 2026) – Goaltender Sierra Cota-Yarde made a career-high six saves on Sunday afternoon, as AFC Toronto drew 0-0 with Halifax Tides FC in their home opener at BMO Field. Toronto remains unbeaten this season and moves into third place in the NSL, with four points and a 1-1-0 record.
Toronto battled hard in the first half, with strong offensive chances from Esther Okoronkwo and Kaylee Hunter. In the 33rd minute, Halifax was awarded a free kick, and Toronto goaltender Sierra Cota-Yarde came up with a big save on the ensuing set piece to keep the game level and preserve the shutout. The second half was no more decisive, bringing Toronto to their first-ever draw at BMO Field.
“It’s always our standard to get a clean sheet,” said defender Sarah Rollins. “As our back line, our back five, every single game we talk about it. Our goal as defenders and goalies is a clean sheet every single game, especially at home. So yeah, that means a lot to us. (Sierra Cota-Yarde) played a big part in that today, so shout out to her.”
Head coach Marko Milanović, on the team returning to BMO Field: “We really enjoy playing in this venue, we love this stadium. Fans were great again today, it was loud. Yeah, we feel right at home when we play here.”
AFC Toronto will play a second game at BMO Field next weekend, set to host Montreal Roses FC on Sunday, May 10 at 1 p.m. ET.
RISING TALENT: 17-year-old Olivia Chisholm made her first start at BMO Field, while 20-year-old April Lantaigne came off the bench for her first appearance at the venue. Both are local players who previously played as part of National Development Centre Ontario in Ligue1 Ontario.
NEW HOME: Sunday marked Toronto’s first game at BMO Field as an official home venue for the team. This season, AFC Toronto will play seven of their 13 home games at BMO Field. The remaining six will be played at York Lions Stadium.
SIERRA COTA-YARDE: Toronto’s goalkeeper earned her first clean sheet of the year and eighth all-time, making a career-high six saves.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: AFC Toronto remains unbeaten against Halifax Tides FC, with an all-time 4-2-0 record. Sunday marked Tides FC’s first visit to BMO Field.
UP NEXT: AFC Toronto faces Montreal Roses FC at BMO Field on Sunday, May 10 at 1 p.m. ET. (Stream on CBC Gem and NSL.ca; French language coverage on RDS)
MATCH SUMMARY
AFC Toronto - 0 | Halifax Tides FC - 0
Venue: BMO Field
Referee: Sheila Couture
Assistants: Vasyl Dzikh, Amanda Kwan
Fourth Official: Scott Bowman
Referee Observer: John Oliva
Attendance: 6,476
SCORING SUMMARY
N/A
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
45’ - Yellow: Naya Cardoza (Halifax Tides FC)
STARTING LINEUP & STATS
AFC Toronto Starting Lineup:
GK Sierra Cota-Yarde (Toronto, ON)
DF Ashley Cathro (Victoria, BC)
DF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON)
DF Sarah Rollins (Toronto, ON)
MF Zoe Burns (USA)
MF Colby Barnett (USA)
MF Olivia Chisholm (Toronto, ON)
MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON)
MF Sarah Stratigakis (Toronto, ON)
FW Kaylee Hunter (Calgary, AB)
FW Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria)
Substitutes: Sofia Manner (GK), Danielle Krzyzaniak (GK), April Lantaigne (MF), Kaila Novak (FW), Nyota Katembo (MF), Mia Fontana (FW), Cloey Uddenberg (MF), Lauren Rowe (FW)
Total Shots: 13 | Shots on Goal: 5 | Fouls: 9 | Offsides: 0 | Corner-Kicks: 8 | Saves: 6
Photo Highlights from Game
Media can access video highlights here.
Video Highlights of Game
Media can access video highlights from the match on the Northern Super League YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernSuperLeague
Match Summary
A complete summary of the match facts and stats can be viewed at:
https://www.nsl.ca/games/2026-05-03-toronto-halifax
More from the locker room:
Marko Milanović, on today’s result: “Obviously disappointed with the result, we expect to win every game that we play in. We absolutely respect that competition in this league, but that’s something that we expect from ourselves. … We’ll take the point, and obviously a shutout is nice.”
Marko Milanović, on facing Halifax: “They were organized and tough last year as well. They have a great staff, they have players that really fight and play for each other. Even when they were out of the playoffs last year, those games were still tough. I didn’t think they changed that much structurally.”
Sarah Rollins, on her defensive play: “I mean with the team I have around me, it's really easy to just keep a strong head with all the support that everyone brings around me. Like (Chisholm), even as someone younger than me, being that support there and holding the midfield. And having (Victoria Pickett) with me, a veteran, is just really helpful in supporting and just keeping a strong back line.”
Olivia Chisholm, on making two starts in two games: “Honestly, it's been really good coming into this season. It's unexpected to play this many minutes. I didn't really think of it, but now that I have it, as Sarah said, I have such a great team around me and they've made it all so easy.”
Olivia Chisholm, on today’s draw: “I think there’s things we can take away, good and bad. We can learn from it, but we also had a lot of opportunities that we can reflect on.”
