The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's soccer team battled to a 2-2 tie in an East Coast Conference showdown at the University of Bridgeport. The Spartans, ranked #9 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, now stand at 7-2-3 overall and 3-1-3 in ECC action, with Bridgeport at 0-8-2, 0-2-2. With two games remaining, STAC remains in position to claim one of the four berths to the ECC Tournament.

Luis Morales got the Spartans on the board quickly, as his ninth goal of the season on an assist from Christian Jones made the score 1-0 after just 3:14 of play. STAC held a 9-6 edge in shots through 45 minutes, but that was the only tally at halftime.

Bridgeport found the equalizer just 2:19 after the break, with Yoel Salvador's first of the season tying the game at 1-1. Jake Atkinson gave the Purple Knights the lead at 67:21, off a feed from Salvador to make the score 2-1.

With time winding down, the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick and Morales hit the spot at 84:53 to send the game to extra time. Twenty minutes of overtime was not enough to break the deadlock, with both squads settling for the hard-fought tie. STAC held a 20-14 advantage in shots, as netminder Jack Nicholson was credited with four saves.

The Spartans play their final two home games of the season in the next week, starting on Sunday, October 16, when St. Anselm visits Spartan field for a noon start. STAC will then celebrate Senior Day when NYIT pays a call for an ECC tilt, as the back end of a double-header after the women's contest at 2:30.