Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Maine Maritime Academy men's soccer battled to a 2-2 draw with Norwich University in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on Friday night at Sabine Field.
The Mariners (0-2-1) return to action tomorrow afternoon against SUNY Maritime at Norwich at 2:30 p.m., while the Cadets (1-0-3) will take on the Privateers on Sunday at 2:30 pm.
Maine Maritime opened the scoring at the 18:22 mark when Evan Backus (Farmington, Maine) scored on a one-touch redirection on a feed from the right by teammate Matthew Caron (Scarborough, Maine).
Just under four minutes later Jeremy Spiegel (West Chester, Pa.) scored on a header off a throw in from the right side of the field by Caron, to put the Mariners up 2-0.
Norwich's Matt Bento scored on a crossing pass from the left by Eric Badabinga to cut Maine Maritime's lead in half at the 37:50 mark.
Bienfait Badabinga tied the game at 2-2 in the 52nd minute, off a header on a free-kick service from teammate Amerle Nemeye.
In overtime, Maine Maritime had two golden chances to win the game but Dalton Moore (Hollis Center, Maine) was robbed by Norwich goalie Brendan Germano coming off his line to kick an initial shot away. The rebound was gathered up by Caron and he took a bid at the wide open net but Norwich defender Noah Cook was able to knock the ball off the line for the team save to keep the Cadets in it.
With just under a minute to go in the second overtime, Norwich had their golden opportunity to win the game, but Matt Hilton was robbed by Joshua Reeks (Bedford, N.H.) diving across the goal to punch a one-touch volley away from the net.
Reeks made 10 saves in goal for the Mariners, while Germano had five for Norwich, including three in the second overtime session.
