BOSTON – The Norwich University men's soccer team rallied from two goals down, earning a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Emmanuel (Mass.) on Saturday afternoon. The Cadets' overall record stands at 1-2-1 while the Saints move to 2-1-1 on the year after both teams' first Great Northeast Athletic Conference match. 

Down by a 2-0 margin following a Norwich own goal and an unassisted tally by Emmanuel's Justin Connor, senior Jacob Zimmerman (Litchfield, N.H.) cashed in with his 43rd career goal off a long feed from sophomore Matt Hilton (Colorado Springs, Colo.), halving the hosts' advantage. 

Sophomore Ethan Melia (Shrewsbury, Mass.) capped off an extended run of Norwich offensive pressure, potting the equalizer in the game's 63rd minute off a pass from junior Noah Schiers (South Weber, Utah). In the box, Melia headed home the tying goal with 27:09 remaining in regulation time. 

Despite a 10-to-3 shot advantage in the second half, Norwich was held without a single shot in the first overtime stanza while the Saints fired two shots. The Cadets answered with two shots in the second overtime period, but the teams would exit 110 minutes of action with a 2-2 draw. 

Norwich backstop Ryan Fitzpatrick (Milbury, Mass.) allowed two goals on three shots faced, playing the game's first 19:44 before departing in favor of Alex Grant (South Yarmouth, Mass.). The freshman backstop made three saves without allowing goal across the next 90:16. 

Emmanuel goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrarini finished with eight saves, allowing two Norwich goals on the afternoon. 

The Cadets return to action Monday, Sept. 12 as they head to Green Mountain College for a 4 p.m. non-conference tilt with the Eagles in Poultney, Vt.