HENNIKER, N.H. – The Nichols College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with New England College in non-conference action Saturday afternoon.
 
New England College opened the scoring 7:13 into the match as Manny Arteaga (Norwalk, Conn.) struck on a free kick off the foot of David Fernandes (Westbrook, Conn.). Nichols knotted the game at one in the 28th minute as junior Michael Perry (Plainville, Mass.) saw his free kick deflect of a Pilgrim defender and in.
 
The two teams battled through the remainder of the opening half scoreless. The Bison held an 8-2 advantage in shots on net.
 
Neither team mustered a goal in the second half of play. NEC had the best scoring opportunity in the 86^th minute as a free kick off the foot of Rob Lucas (Hooksett, N.H.) was denied by junior goalkeeper Jeremy Nash (West Springfield, Mass.), and the rebound sailed just wide.
 
The Pilgrims posted the lone shot on net in the opening overtime while the Bison had three shots on net in the second overtime. Pilgrims goalkeeper Robert Millard (Barrington, R.I.) finished with 12 saves. Nash totaled five saves on the afternoon.
 
Nichols heads to Clark (MA) University for a 6 p.m. match on Tuesday. NEC hosts Amherst Wednesday.

Contributions from New England College sports information