RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Halifax Wanderers vs. Cavalry FC | October 12, 2026

Heading into stoppage time on a rainy day at the Wanderers Grounds, it looked to be doom and gloom for the host Halifax Wanderers.

But a Thomas Meilleur-Giguère header not only kept the Wanderers mathematically alive in the CPL playoff race, but could also have a huge impact on who lifts the CPL Shield. 

The 2-2 draw was the third straight winless match for league-leaders Cavalry FC, who have seen their gap at the top shrink considerably in recent weeks. 

Cavalry had momentarily dropped out of top spot earlier on Monday after a big victory from Forge FC in Hamilton. With both clubs on 54 points, they remain ahead of their rivals from Hamilton on the third tiebreaker, which is goal differential, with matches remaining for both. 

In the sixth minute, Halifax's Miguel Arilla clipped a ball into the box that Jason Bahamboula sent over Nathan Ingham with a brilliant looped header and into the back of the net. It was the second straight match in which Cavalry conceded first in the sixth minute. 

Down a goal, Cavalry came close to being down a man in the 34th minute after an FVS review for a potential red card on a late challenge from Eryk Kobza. It was ultimately upheld as just a yellow card. 

Just before half-time, Cavalry equalized. A corner from Tobias Warschewski was initially palmed away by Marco Carducci, but right into the path of Caniggia Elva. in his return from international duty, the Saint Lucian striker turned and slotted the ball into the net. 

Moments after the goal was awarded, however, Liam Mackenzie nearly put Halifax back in front with a dangerous strike that forced a great save from Ingham.

Ten minutes into the second half, Cavalry took the lead. Again, the goal came from a Warschewski corner as he sent a perfect dipping delivery onto the foot of Musse, who tapped it into the open net to make it 2-1. 

The assist was Warschewski's tenth of the season, which set a new single-season CPL record. He is also the first player in league history to score both double-digit goals (he's on 10) and have double-digit assists in a season.

Assist record in his back pocket, Warschewski came close to getting himself on the scoresheet with a blast from distance five minutes later, but couldn't quite curl it into the top corner. 

The rain really started opening up in Halifax around the hour mark, adding a dark and gloomy atmosphere to the grounds. 

In the 79th minute, Halifax were given a lifeline as a poor tackle from Cavalry midfielder Harry Paton saw him sent off, and the visitors were down to 10 men. 

The Wanderers quickly put Cavalry under siege, trying to find an equalizer and save their season. Lorenzo Callegari had a great look from distance in the first few minutes of stoppage time, but was denied by a great block from Amer Didić. 

On the second phase of the ensuing corner, Halifax found a precious equalizer as Thomas Meilleur-Giguère headed home a great cross from Ryan Telfer. It was late dramatics again for the Wanderers; they came from two goals behind in stoppage time in Hamilton last weekend to save a point at Hamilton Stadium. 

"This fact that we score at the end in both games, it means that not only that we are good and we believe in it, but the magic of football," said Halifax head coach Vanni Sartini. "The magic of there's some signs that maybe say, 'guys, keep trying,' and we will keep trying." 

Cavalry had one last look at goal from a corner kick, off which they had scored their other two goals, but this time Carducci was first to the ball. Moments later, the final whistle signalled a result that was enough for both sides to keep their goals alive, but didn't move either closer to them. 

Halifax remain five points out of the playoffs, and could need to win their final two matches of the season in order to even have a chance to make it. Those matches do come against the two sides directly in front of them, however: Vancouver FC in Langley on Friday, before hosting FC Supra du Québec on the final day of the season.

Box Score

Starting XIs

Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse (Ciccarelli 75'), Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Telfer; Olguin (Zitman 60'), Callegari, Johnston; Arilla, Mackenzie (Pierre 69'), Bahamboula

Cavalry FC: Ingham; Pearlman, Klomp, Didić, Kamdem; Kobza, Paton; Musse (Ntignee 76'), Warschewski, Edwards (Ofori 90'); Elva (Henry 80')

Goals

6' - Jason Bahamboula (Halifax Wanderers) 
40' - Caniggia Elva (Cavalry FC)
55' - Ali Musse (Cavalry FC) 
90+2' - Thomas Meilleur-Giguère (Halifax Wanderers) 

Discipline

32' - Yellow: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC) 
34' - Yellow: Eryk Kobza (Cavalry FC)
71' - Yellow: Sven Zitman (Halifax Wanderers) 
72' - Yellow: Bradley Kamdem (Cavalry FC) 
77' - Red: Harry Paton (Cavalry FC) 
90+7' - Yellow: Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers) 

CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match

Ryan Telfer, Halifax Wanderers 

Telfer set up Halifax's late equalizer with a great ball into the box. He also won possession ten times, won seven of 11 duels and played seven crosses. 

What's Next?

The Halifax Wanderers travel to the West Coast next weekend for a clash with Vancouver FC on Friday, Oct. 16 (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT). 

Cavalry, meanwhile, host Pacific FC on Saturday, Oct. 17 (4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT).