BALTIMORE – UMBC senior Michael Scott (Fife, Scotland) equalized an early New Hamsphire score just 18 seconds later and the Retrievers and Wildcats played scoreless soccer for the remaining 102 minutes and ended in a 1-1 double overtime draw in chilly conditions at Retriever Soccer Park.

 

UMBC gained a point in the standings and is 7-3-3 overall and 1-1-2 in America East play, while UNH is now 8-2-3, 2-1-1.

 

The Retrievers extended their unbeaten streak with New Hampshire to nine games, as UMBC has won four and drawn five times since a loss in 2009.

 

Smarting from a 3-0 setback at Vermont on Wednesday, UMBC came out aggressively in the opening moments versus the Wildcats, but UNH would score in its first foray in Retriever territory. After a Wildcat throw-in, the ball was eventually recovered by freshman midfielder Chris Arling, who wheeled and fired from just inside the box. Arling’s attempt ricocheted off a UMBC defender and beyond UMBC netminder Billy Heavner (Landisville, Pa.), stunning the home crowd just 7:16 into the game.

 

But the home fans would not have long to wait for the tying goal as Scott knotted the game just 18 seconds later. He innocently possessed the ball 30 yards from goal, just five yards from the left sideline, when he launched a ball toward the far right post. Scott’s effort hooked several feet over the last couple of yards, over the head of UNH netminder Ryan Carpenter and tucked in just inside the right post.

 

For both Arling and Scott, it was their second goal of the season, to go along with five assists per player.

 

UMBC would control play for the remainder of the first half, as sophomore Gregg Hauck (Linthicum, Md./North County) was dangerous on a series of set pieces, but the Retrievers could not forge the go-head score.

 

UNH countered in the second half and controlled play, especially in the opening stages of the half. But the Wildcats’ best efforts were not on target and UMBC’s Cormac Noel (Todmorden, England) had the best scoring chance of the frame in the 61st minute. Senior Joseph Pratt (Gaithersburg, Md.) hit a perfect cross from the right side to a streaking Noel and the Retriever got to the serve five yards out, and with a partially open net, but his header went over the crossbar.

 

Both teams attempted to win the contest in the two overtime periods, but could not create great scoring chances. UNH’s Jimmy Petruccelli had the best chance in the final minute, but his 24-free kick was easily swallowed up by Heavner.

 

Shots in the game were even at 11-all, and Heavner set a new career mark with seven stops. He has 19 saves in UMBC’s last three contests. Carpenter made four saves, and the UNH defense was credited with a team save on a dangerous, curling shot by UMBC senior Malcolm Harris (Damascus, Md./McDonogh) in the 79th minute.

 

UMBC gets away from league play when they host Navy on Tuesday evening at Retriever Soccer Park in a 7:00 p.m. contest.