Captain Aaron Nickelsberg sets up for a shot as Bates settled for a 0-0 draw in the Bobcats' season opener on Sept. 3, 2014. (Sarah Crosby/Bates College)

LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College and the University of New England played to a 0-0 draw in a non-conference men's soccer game Wednesday night at Garcelon Field, in the Bobcats' season opener.

Bates (0-0-1) outshot UNE (1-0-1) in all four periods, finishing with a 28-13 edge in that category, along with a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Nor'easters played stout defense and saw many Bates shots whistle wide of the UNE goal during the game. UNE backs Finn Ducker, Erik Holmquist, Scott Mitchell and Nick Paine made any penetration into UNE's penalty area a tough proposition throughout the 110 minutes.

UNE senior goalkeeper Aidan McParland made eight saves, including two spectacular ones: one to knock away sophomore Justin Pertierra's (New Canaan, Conn.) laser at the right upper corner in the 83rd minute, and the second on a threatening shot toward the right post by Bates senior Aaron Nickelsberg (Concord, Mass.) in the second overtime. Junior Sam Polito (Far Hills, N.J.) made four saves for Bates, including a point-blank one on a shot by UNE senior Sean Goodrich. 

About 13 minutes into the second half, Bates began making repeated attacks, particularly on the left wing. Sophomore Peabo Knoth (Portland, Maine) made consecutive runs to penetrate the UNE defense, and junior Luis Pereira (Curitiba, Brazil) followed soon after with another one, set up by a Sorice pass with 23:20 left to play in regulation.

The Bobcats put heavy pressure on UNE after halftime, outshooting the Nor'easters 12-5 in the second half, then 6-2 in the first overtime. A beautiful service by senior Sean Moyo (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) to Knoth was controlled by McParland in the 84th minute. With 3:13 left in first overtime, sophomore Matt DiVite (Murray Hill, N.J.) set up Pereira with a backwards flick, but Pereira's shot sprayed wide of the far post.

Knoth, Pereira and DiVite attempted five shots apiece, with Pereira putting two on goal. Ducker attempted a team-high four shots for UNE.

Bates opens NESCAC play on Saturday with a 2:30pm game at Tufts.