SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Freshman Johnny Mueller (St. Louis, Mo.) netted the tying goal late in the third period for American International College but they dropped an overtime thriller, 4-3, in a non-conference tilt against UMass-Amherst this evening at the MassMutual Center.

AIC (5-23-2) opened the scoring as senior Chris Porter (Stoufville, Ont.) knocked home a rebound off freshman Shawn McBride's (Victoria, B.C.) initial bid at 11:45 of the first period for the 1-0 edge.

However, UMass (8-17-4) answered with a strong second period as they tallied three goals in just 3:39 of game action. Freshman Joseph Widmar (Northbrook, Ill.) notched the equalizer at 13:01 of the middle frame as he curled around the left circle and beat sophomore Alex Murray (Burlington, Ont.) high glove side for the 1-1 score.

It was then senior Shane Walsh (West Roxbury, Mass.) who tee'd up a one-timer off a clean face-off win at 14:25 before freshman Austin Plevy (Langley, B.C.) lit the lamp with the man-advantage at 16:40 for the 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The third period started sloppy with neither team able to possess the puck before Yellow Jacket sophomore Johno May (Mahtomedi, Minn.) wrapped the puck around the back of the net from right to left beating Minutemen freshman net-minder Nic Renyard (Victoria, B.C.) five-hole for the 3-2 score at 12:42.

AIC then used great transition to tie the contest as junior Austin Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore Jackson Dudley (Edmonton, Alb.) led a breakout and strong skating through the slot by freshman defenseman Johnny Mueller led to a tip in goal on the left side of the crease for the 3-3 score at 16:55 of the third period.

UMass came out strong in the extra session as they outshot the Jackets 7-1 leading to the first goal of the season and game-winner by senior Ben Gallacher (Calgary, Alb.) at 3:43 for the 4-3 final.

American International was unable to capitalize on their one power-play while Amherst went 1-for-3 with the man-advantage and outshot the hosts 43-33.

"We didn't win the hockey game, but there were things we can take out of this that will really help us going forward hopefully even in the short term this weekend against RIT" eluded head coach Gary Wright in a post-game press conference.

AIC resumes Atlantic Hockey Conference play as they travel to RIT this weekend for a pair of contests.