BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. --  Sophomore Donny Whittle (Ellington, Conn.) recorded his first goal of the season in the 25th minute of play and help Nichols College earn a 1-1 draw with Massachusetts Maritime in non-conference men's soccer action Wednesday evening at Clean Harbors Stadium.

Freshman Thomas McCarthy (Tybee Island, Ga.) gave the host Buccaneers (3-0-1) the early advantage when he deflected a corner kick from classmate Konnor Scarponi (Brunswick, Maine) for his first collegiate tally 15:27 into the contest.

Whittle tied the score less than nine minutes later for the Bison (4-0-2) after taking a throw in from senior Scott Palmerino (Southbridge, Mass.) for his first marker of the season. Both teams had chances for the game-winner in the closing minutes of regulation, as a free kick by Massachusetts Maritime senior Asa Mills (Westport, Mass.) deflected wide with three seconds to play in the second half. Later, Palmerino was denied on two shots in the final 4:17 of the second extra session - one which hit the post.

Freshman Joe Cohen (Plymouth, Mass.) earned the draw with seven saves over the final 65 minutes of play for the Buccaneers, including a pair of point blank stops in the second overtime period. Freshman Thomas Funkhauser (Purcellville, Va.) got the start for the Buccaneers and made four saves in the opening 45 minutes of play. 

Junior Jeremy Nash (West Springfield, Mass.) made six stops in net for the Bison, including a save in front on a Scarponi shot with 36 seconds remaining in the match. Nichols outshot Massachusetts Maritime by a 20-12 margin (12-7 on goal) while holding an 11-3 edge in corners.

Nichols hosts Wentworth in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) match on Saturday morning in Dudley, Mass. that begins at 11:00 a.m. Massachusetts Maritime heads to Salem, Mass. on Saturday afternoon to open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play against Salem State at 1:00 p.m. 

Contributions from Massachusetts Maritime sports information