UMBC Comes From Behind, Ties NIU 1-1

September 4, 2016

Baltimore, Md.— UMBC had to fight back after conceding a goal off a penalty kick, but freshman Tre Pulliam (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) found the equalizer as the Retrievers and Huskies played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. The draw moves the Retrievers to 0-1-2 on the year.

The Huskies got the scoring started after a foul was called in the box. Kevin Rodriguez put the penalty in the top left corner to give NIU a 1-0 lead.

Pulliam would respond just six minutes later after he blocked an attempted clear, he beat Donnally in the left corner to tie it at 1-1.

Billy Heavner (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) would have to make a save from six yards out to keep things level, with the Retrievers getting a shot from Sammy Kahsai (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) that just sailed off the crossbar, forcing extra time.

UMBC had all the opportunities in the first extra session, garnering four corners in a two minute span, with the best chance coming on a Kahsai free kick just outside the box that went wide.

Neither side had much going in the second extra session, as the game ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon.

UMBC had a few chances in the opening 45 minutes, but it was NIU who had the best chance early on. Heavner came up with a save on a shot from 12 yards out. The Huskies once again had a chance late, but their header went just wide.

The best UMBC chance came as Cormac Noel (Todmorden, England/Ryburn Valley) made a move outside the box, his shot got deflected off a Huskie defender, and keeper Drew Donnally had to make a sprawling save to keep things level after the first half.

The Black and Gold outshot NIU 14-13, including an 11-6 advantage on corner kicks. Heavner made four saves in net for the Retrievers in the contest.

The Retrievers will be back in action next Saturday, September 10. UMBC will host Monmouth at 7 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park.