Lorenzo Callegari's late volley gave the Halifax Wanderers a huge three points against Pacific FC in a 2-1 win at Starlight Stadium.
The victory keeps Halifax in a playoff position to end the matchweek, albeit with a game in hand, at least, on the rest of the league.
In their third match in nine days, Halifax made five changes to its side, handing starts to captain Andre Rampersad, Kareem Sow, Tavio Ciccarelli, Jason Bahamboula and Ryan Telfer.
After a cagey opening first 15, Halifax started to find some joy down the right flank through Bahamboula. The Halifax winger beat his man down the line cleanly on a few occasions, and in the 21st minute brilliantly crossed it for Ciccarelli. The 19-year-old's header gave him three straight games with a goal and his fifth of the season.
Having taken the lead, Halifax did not sit back. They held the ball well, forcing Pacific FC to chase and then moving quickly through their press, but they could not turn it into any other chances of consequence.
The Tridents started to grow into the match, and pressed late in the half for an equalizer. Pacific thought they had won a penalty in stoppage time when Yann Toualy was brought down in the box. It was judged that the outrushing Halifax goalkeeper, Marco Carducci, had got the ball first.
At the half, both teams made changes, with Halifax bringing off the goalscorer, Ciccarelli for Miguel Arilla. The trailing Pacific, meanwhile, made three changes, bringing on Christian Greco-Taylor, Ronan Kratt and Roshawn Juhmi.
Early in the second half, Pacific's penalty did finally come as a Jefferson Alphonse handball in the box sent Alejandro Díaz to the spot. The CPL's all-time leading goalscorer stepped up and made no mistake, sending Carducci the wrong way and equalizing the match.
The goal seemed to embolden Pacific, who pressed forward, looking to take the lead. But against the run of play, Halifax delivered a sucker punch. A great cross from the substitute Arilla found Callegari at the back post, and he bounced it over Pacific goalkeeper Sean Melvin to make it 2-1 in the 60th minute.
Ten minutes later, Pacific nearly equalized again, a great ball from Taras Gomulka to pick out Ronan Kratt allowed the Tridents winger to test Carducci, but the Halifax keeper stood tall. Kratt had another chance a few minutes later in the middle of the box, but couldn't get enough power on his strike.
Kratt vs. Carducci was a great duel in the final moments, as the Pacific winger consistently tested the Halifax keeper.
Looking to see out the result, the Wanderers introduced Thomas Meilleur-Giguère in the 80th minute, as the veteran central defender returned after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Pacific FC finished with 1.36 expected goals compared to Halifax's 1.06, but in the end missed out on several late changes to equalize.
For Halifax, this was just their second win ever at Starlight Stadium, and first since 2022 a huge result for a team that has traditionally struggled away from home. Unfortunately for Pacific, they have set a new league record for the worst start to a season, going 12 matches without a win.
Box Score
Starting XIs
Pacific FC: Melvin; Chung, Belluz (Quintana 65'), Konincks, Lajeunesse (Greco-Taylor 46'); Gomulka, Baldisimo (Juhmi 46'); Toualy, Bustos (Kratt 46'), Heard (Vales 73'); Díaz
Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse, Linder, Sow, Telfer; Olguin (Meilleur-Giguère 79'), Callegari, Rampserad (Zitman 65'); Bahamboula (Kachwele 65'), Ciccarelli (Arilla 46'), Johnston (Troisi 89')
Goals
21' - Tavio Ciccarelli (Halifax Wanderers)
52' -- Alejandro Dîaz (Pacific FC) (Penalty)
60' -- Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers)
Discipline
42' - Yellow: Josh Heard (Pacific FC)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Lorenzo Callegari, Halifax Wanderers
The midfielder's late goal was the difference maker, but he was excellent throughout the match in the centre of the park.
What's Next?
Pacific FC are next in action on Thursday, July 16, when they travel to take on Forge FC in Hamilton (7 p.m. ET).
Halifax, meanwhile, are off to Calgary to take on Cavalry FC on Saturday, July 18. (3 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. AT).
For the full broadcast schedule: cplsoccer.com/watch.