PROVIDENCE, R.I. – It may not have been evident in the final score, but the Yale men’s soccer team showed earlier this season it could compete against the nation’s best teams in games against nationally ranked opponents UConn and Cornell. Saturday against No. 11 Brown, the proof was there for all to see. Bobby Thalman made 11 saves as the Bulldogs earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Bears on a chilly night at Stevenson Field.

“It was a fantastic game with lots of action,” said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. “I thought our guys played with a lot of courage and conviction. To go on the road against a nationally ranked opponent and get a tie is a pretty good result.”

Early on, it looked like Yale might be in trouble. Ben Maury’s goal just 2 minutes, 33 seconds in gave the Bears a 1-0 lead.

Yale, though, got the equalizer before the intermission. Scott Armbrust fired a shot that deflected off the post. The rebound came to Peter Jacobson and he fired it home.

Thalman and a tough Bulldog defense helped keep the score tied. Thalman made eight of his saves in the second half and his defense blocked a number of shots.

“In the second half we withstood a lot of pressure,” Tompkins said. “Bobby was splendid and showed again why he is an excellent goalkeeper and team leader.  Our defense blocked a lot of shots. The guys were brave.”

Brown (12-1-3, 4-0-2 Ivy) nearly won it midway through the second overtime, but Jose Salama’s shot hit the post.

The Bears finished with 36 shots in the game but only 12 were on goal.

The Bulldogs (4-7-5, 1-2-3) are unbeaten in their last three games.

Yale closes out the season next Saturday at home against Princeton at 3 p.m.