Dulaney was looking to establish a new order in Baltimore County soccer in its league opener Tuesday night against perennial power Perry Hall.
The 11th-ranked Gators, however, are not ready to loosen their reign as the dominant team just yet. Dulaney and Perry Hall traded several chances over two 40-minute halves and two 10-minute overtime periods, but neither team could break through in the 0-0 tie. Perry Hall's Ethan Moller nearly won the game with a minute left in regulation, but his header sailed just over the bar.
"It really frustrates you," Moller said. "Sometimes we get bounces, sometimes we don't. I wish I could have gotten under the ball and it would have been a completely different game. It just didn't happen."
Perry Hall fell to 0-3-1 this season, but two of its losses have been to No. 1 McDonogh and No. 9 Archbishop Curley in a game the Gators were leading 2-0 before falling 3-2. After several rainouts, Dulaney was finally playing its first regular-season game against a team it has not beaten in at least the past six years.
"I thought we were a little intimidated by Perry Hall being what they've been for the past six years," Dulaney coach Jerry Tana said. "It was a tough first game. I thought we had the better second half. It was a great, well-played game for Baltimore County. It's something to build on. I think we'll be a dangerous team in the states."
Dulaney nearly took an early lead on a header by Sam Hillman off a cross from Marc Sundstrom, but the ball clanked off the near post. Perry Hall had three consecutive chances midway through the first half by Suman Rai, James Canoles and Moller, but the shots were just off target.
The teams then traded chances in the overtime periods but neither defense would budge. Perry Hall first-year coach Pete Eibner implored his players to keep their heads up after the Gators were clearly frustrated they couldn't finish on one of their scoring opportunties.
"Dulaney played really hard, but we have to make the most of our chances," Eibner said. "These guys have progressively gotten better every game. That is our goal. The results will show in November."
No. 11 Perry Hall 0, Dulaney 0, 2 OT
Saves: D-Larkin 5; P-Kroll 4. Half: 0-0.