Tides tie Toronto 1-1, but miss out on NSL playoffs

TORONTO — Saorla Miller gave Halifax some hope with a game-tying goal in the 44th minute, but after ringing a second shot off the post 10 minutes later, Miller and the Tides’ couldn’t get any closer and their Northern Super League post-season dreams were crushed on Monday via a 1-1 draw with AFC Toronto.

Kaylee Hunter gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute at BMO Field. Miller tied the game 16 minutes later, but the Tides — needing a regulation win to move ahead of the Vancouver Rise into the fourth and final playoff spot — couldn’t net the winner in a scoreless second half.

The Tides, who finished the season with 29 points — seven wins, 10 losses and eight draws — had to settle for fifth place, two points back of the Rise.

AFC Toronto could have finished second with a win in regulation, but instead had to settle for third with 39 points — 10 wins, six losses, nine draws — one point behind the second-place Ottawa Rapid, and six behind the league-leading Montreal Roses.