VESTAL, N.Y. - Sophomore midfielder Patty Loonie tied the game in the 30th minute and junior keeper Katie Hatziyianis preserved the tie with several brilliant saves down the stretch as Binghamton women's soccer (1-1-2) battled to a 1-1 draw with visiting Buffalo (1-2-1) Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

One year after the two-time defending MAC Eastern Division champion Bulls rolled to a 3-0 win over BU, head coach Neel Bhattacharjee's squad showed its mettle with a strong 110-minute performance in high heat. Missing two starters and eight players in all with injuries, the Bearcats held their own against a Bulls' team that made 30 substitutions in the game. 

"This was a statement game for us ... a measuring stick," Bhattacharjee said. "Last year Buffalo took it to this team. They are a very good team and we had to battle to have a chance. I thought our kids did that. We showed we can get a result against this type of quality team." 

After surrendering a goal on a breakaway in the eighth minute, BU got on the board with just over 15 minutes left in the half. Freshman Sydney Corda did some good work down the left side to draw a corner kick. Redshirt junior Michele Galvin curled the kick into the box, where Loonie headed it toward the goal. With freshman Ryan Reilly cutting in front of the keeper and providing a screen, Loonie's redirect found the net - her second goal of the season.

"Sydney was one of our most impactful players all game long," Bhattacharjee said. "She had to do a lot of north-south running. That epitomizes this team ... how selfless they are. Sydney understood her role and did it for the team today. If we get contributions like that we will be ready for conference play and beyond." 

The teams then played 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, though the action and scoring opportunities were aplenty.

Hatziyianis came up with a handful of huge saves at the end of regulation. The first was a body save off a breakaway down the left side of the box with 3:24 left in the second half. Then with just 43 seconds remaining, Buffalo sprung all-conference midfielder Julia Benati through alone but Hatziyianis stuck out her right leg and got a piece of the shot as it was headed to the near corner. Then with Buffalo pressing in the second overtime, Hatziyianis made a big save after a free kick loose ball and two Bulls players were all on her doorstep.

"Katie pulled off some game-changing saves today," Bhattacharjee said. "Our back line did really well ... for the most part they were able to weather the pressure and when we did give up shots, many were from a distance or bad angles."

Buffalo held a 25-9 advantage in shots. Hatziyianis made eight saves.

Binghamton next plays at Manhattan Friday night.