WASHINGTON - A hat trick, six combined goals and 120 minutes of play were not enough to decide a winner as American and No. 17 Princeton played to a hard-fought 3-3 tie here on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field.
American freshman forward Andrew Herman made his presence felt, notching all three goals for the Eagles, but it was Matt Behncke's goal for Princeton with three minutes to play in regulation that sent the game into overtime.
Princeton (5-2-4) got on the board first when Mike Nugent collected an errant play from an American defender and got in on Eagle keeper Michael Behonick all alone. Nugent slipped it past Behonick, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute.
Up until that point, American (5-6-1) had controlled much of the flow, but could not convert any scoring chances. That changed with 19 minutes to play in the first half when American defender Charlie Koniver carried the ball down the left flank and sent it ahead to Jonathon Colton just outside the box. Colton sent a cross to the center of the 18-yard box, and hit a waiting Herman, who beat Princeton keeper Jason White.
Herman struck again just three minutes later when he was led into the box by Kris Bertsch. Herman got in alone on White and he found the back of the net for a 2-1 Eagle lead.
Princeton came out quickly in the second half, and knotted the game at 2-2 just 10 minutes into the second period of play. Off a restart, Teddy van Beuren sent a cross from the left side into the box and Marty Shaw finished the play.
American came back strong yet again, this time on a similar play to Princeton's first goal. Herman was back pressing the Tiger defense when a lapse left him with the ball at the 18. In alone on White yet again, Herman struck a low, hard shot to give the Eagles a 3-2 advantage with 23 minutes to play in regulation.
Princeton gained momentum late and pressed for the tying goal. With just over three minutes left in regulation, Behncke collected the ball 25-yard out with his back to the goal. He turned and unloaded a left-footed shot that found the upper-right corner of the net to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Both teams had several excellent scoring opportunities in the extra session. American had a flurry in the second overtime that included three shots, two of which were stopped at point-blank range by White, and the third which skimmed just over the cross bar. Herman actually had a chance to win the game in the second overtime, as he was fed from the right flank Bertsch. Herman had the entire goal to work with, by White stifled the opportunity.
The teams combined for 36 shots on goal and 15 corner kicks this afternoon. White made 11 saves for the Tigers, while American's Behonick made seven.
American returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 23, when it hosts Army at 2:00 p.m. on Reeves Field. The Eagles then face Penn State on Sunday, Oct. 28.
