NEWARK, Del. - - A late lead disappeared for the Wilmington University men's soccer team as it settled for a 3-3 draw with American International on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.

The Wildcats (0-1-1) had a pair of leads in the second half, but the Yellow Jackets (0-1-1) answered each time with the final time coming with 2:30 remaining on the clock to force the 3-3 stalemate.

The game started quickly for both teams, as AIC got on the board just 1:15 into the match following a handball in the box and converting a penalty kick. But just two minutes later, Jhamaleek Porter intercepted a pass deep in the AIC zone and buried his first shot to tie the game, 1-1, just 3:22 into the match. The Wildcat' first chance to break the tie came in the 26^th minute when Theo Faillon hit the post and Lenny Greifenberg's follow up was deflected just wide of the open goal.

The Wildcats quickly turned defense into offense early in the second half, finishing with a diving header goal. Jhamaleek Porter punched it forward to Michiharu Takanashi who brought it down to himself and into the box. He lofted a ball to the far post, giving Theo Faillon enough room to come flying in for a diving header to make it 2-1 in the 54^th minute. American International tied the game in the 72^nd minute with a number of cross-field passes, getting in on the right side. But the Wildcats found an answer again in the 81^st minute, this time going straight down the middle of the AIC defense. Diego Ramirez pushed it forward to Tsubasa Abe who found Michiharu Takanashi into the left side of the box. He used the outside of his right foot to slot the goalkeeper, making it 3-2.

But the Wildcats couldn't close out the victory as the Yellow Jacket used some magic to score off a restart. Leo Consoloni chipped the holding line on the kick and Christian Torres volleyed it out of the air and into the back of the net with 2:30 to play to retie the game, 3-3.

The Wildcats led in shots, 17-10, with 11 shots going on frame.

Wilmington remains at home to start its season, hosting West Chester on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening whistle is slated for 4:00 p.m.