Captain Nikki Small scored her first of the season, goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo picked up her fourth clean sheet in six starts
Halifax, N.S. (August 23, 2026) – AFC Toronto claimed a confident 2-0 win over Halifax Tides FC on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Wanderers Grounds, courtesy of goals from Nikki Small and Kaylee Hunter. With the win, AFC Toronto (8-4-5) continues to sit third in the Northern Super League table with 28 points.
In the opening half, Small broke through first for Toronto. Small took a ball from Lena Silano and played it into space, where she took a long-range strike that beat Halifax’s goalkeeper. The goal marked Small’s first of the year and Silano’s first NSL assist. Later in the half, Kaylee Hunter converted a penalty shot for her eighth of the year, doubling Toronto’s lead. In first-half stoppage time, goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo denied a free kick attempt from Halifax off her fingertips to preserve Toronto’s lead. D’Angelo and Toronto’s back line remained characteristically strong through the second half, preserving the clean sheet win.
“It's hard to win in Halifax,” said head coach Marko Milanović. “Very organized team, great staff, hardworking players. The first goal bounced, it went our way, and I thought it made a big difference. We did well to score the second off of that throw-in play and were able to keep the clean sheet, which is very important for us as well.”
Next weekend, AFC Toronto returns home to host Ottawa Rapid FC at BMO Field on Sunday, August 30th at 4:00 p.m. ET.
KAYLEE HUNTER: Kaylee Hunter converted from the penalty spot for third time this season for her eighth goal of the year. The 18-year-old striker currently sits tied for third in the league’s Golden Boot race.
NIKKI SMALL: Nikki Small scored her first goal of the year on Sunday. Toronto’s captain also leads the league with 79 total tackles.
LENA SILANO: Lena Silano earned her first NSL start and assist on Sunday.
SABRINA D’ANGELO: Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo has four clean sheets in six starts since signing with AFC Toronto.
ROAD WARRIORS: AFC Toronto holds a 7-2-1 record away from home, the best road record in the NSL.
LEAGUE’S BEST DEFENCE: AFC Toronto is tied with Montreal Roses FC for the fewest goals against this season, with just 17 conceded in 17 games. Toronto also sits second in the league in goal differential at +11.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: AFC Toronto has a 2-1-0 record against Tides FC this season. The club has yet to concede to Halifax this season, earning three clean sheets in three contests.
UP NEXT: AFC Toronto hosts Ottawa Rapid FC at BMO Field on Sunday, August 30th at 4:00 p.m. ET (Available on TSN; U.S. streaming on ESPN+).
MATCH SUMMARY
AFC Toronto - 2 | Halifax Tides FC - 0
Venue: Wanderers Grounds
Referee: Sheila Couture
Assistants: Marie-Han Gagnon-Chretien, Travis Lefebvre
Fourth Official: Laura Hall
Referee Observer: Chris Oakley
SCORING SUMMARY
AFC Toronto: N. Small (20’), K. Hunter (32’ PEN.)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
31’ - Yellow: Addison Weichers (Halifax Tides FC)
STARTING LINEUP & STATS
AFC Toronto Starting Lineup:
GK Sabrina D’Angelo (Welland, ON)
DF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON)
DF Sarah Rollins (Toronto, ON)
DF Shelina Zadorsky (London, ON)
MF Colby Barnett (USA)
MF Olivia Chisholm (Toronto, ON)
MF Nyota Katembo (Montreal, QC)
MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON)
FW Kaylee Hunter (Calgary, AB)
FW Lauren Rowe (Conception Bay South, NL)
FW Lena Silano (USA)
Substitutes: Sierra Cota-Yarde (GK), Danielle Krzyzaniak (GK), Jordan Brewster (DF), Ashley Cathro (DF), Zoe Burns (MF), April Lantaigne (MF), Isabella Lanzillotta* (MF), Mia Fontana (FW), Kaila Novak (FW)
*Youth Development Permit (YDP)
Total Shots: 11
Shots on Goal: 3
Fouls: 8
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 6
Saves: 1
Video Highlights
Media can access video highlights from the match on the Northern Super League YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NorthernSuperLeague
Photo Highlights
Media can access photo highlights from the match here.
Match Summary
A complete summary of the match facts and stats can be viewed at: www.afctoronto.ca/games/2026-08-23-halifax-toronto
More from the locker room:
Sarah Rollins, on playing through rainy conditions: “We were kind of still playing our game, but just being aware of second balls, supporting each other when the ball’s in the air, because the bounce really just went places.”
Lena Silano, on the conditions: “I think the club does a good job preparing us before the game, and letting up play on grass to be used to the conditions.”
Rollins, on communication in the back line: “It was really just me and She (Shelina Zadorsky) trying to pull everybody together and pull everybody down because they put a lot of numbers up. So yeah, we were kind of just bringing our holding mids down into the back line to keep it even. And yeah, it was fine after that.”
Rollins, on the standings: “We just know we need to win every single game. That's what we do every game. We come into the same game every way.”
Marko Milanović, on the team’s depth amidst a number of injuries: “We're a very deep team. Just this season alone, I mean, Esther (Okoronkwo) only played one 90 minute game this year. … We bring in Sam (Samantha Chang) to replace Emma (Regan), she hasn't played a single game. And then we've had multiple absences throughout the year. We take a lot of pride in being deep and developing our full roster. And I'm honestly comfortable playing anyone at any time. They all deserve a chance, including our academy kids. Isabella Lanzillotta was here today. I wouldn't even have a problem playing her, because she played in preseason with us in a number of games. So next up mentality always, and I have a lot of faith in everyone.”
Silano, on the depth: “I also think that's a testament to this club as well. Our training is really hard and intense, I don't think anyone slacks off. So I know anyone that comes in, they're going to be ready.”