Greenville, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team was on the road Saturday Afternoon, earning a 2-2 draw with the Thiel Tomcats.

The Panthers fell behind early, as their hosts were able to take the lead in the 5th minute. The Tomcats were able to gain control of a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and take a shot towards the net. The shot deflected off of a Panther defender and into the goal. The hosts continued to attack the Ppantehr net, as goalkeeper Evan Schmidt made three early saves. 

In the 22nd minute, the Panthers were able to strike to tie the match at one. After Devin Stowe was fouled just outside the area, Will Smith stepped forward from the back line to take the resulting free kick. Smith curled a right-footed shot around the Tomcat wall, beating the outstretched keeper for the tying goal. It was his first of the year and 2nd of his career.  Just over a minute later, Schmidt made a huge save on a breakaway opportunity to keep the momentum with the Panthers.

Fifteen minutes later, Smith struck again, giving the Panthers the lead. In the 37th, the Panthers received another free kick just outside the 18, as the Thiel goalkeeper handled the ball just outside of his box. Smith stepped forward again to take the kick. He blasted a low shot that got through the wall and found the bottom left corner. Schmidt made two more saves over the final eight minutes of the half sending the game to the break with the Panthers up 2-1.

In the second half, the Tomcats held a majority of the possession, keeping constant pressure on the Panther end. The Panthers withstood 21 shots, 5 on goal, and 4 corners over the final 45 minutes. The Panthers nearly held onto their lead, but the pressure finally broke through in the 86th minute. After the Panthers cleared a corner outside the goal area, a Tomcat attacker unleashed a side-volley shot that eluded three Pitt-Bradford defenders and an outstretched Schmidt to find the corner and tie the game. Schmidt was forced into one final save with a minute left to preserve the draw.

Will Smith scored both goals for the Panthers. They were his only two shots of the game. Midfielder Brady Hathaway was the only other Panther to put a shot on target in the game. Devin Stowe had two additional shots, while Gladwin Timothy, Bailee Verdill, and Conner Rudsell each added one. Evan Schmidt made 12 saves in the Panther goal, a career-high. 

The Panthers are now 0-3-1 on the season. They will be back in action on Wednesday, September 13th, when they host Westminster as part of a doubleheader with the women's team. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. at Paul R. Miller Stadium in Kane, Pa.