BIDDEFORD — Two halves and a pair of overtimes wasn’t enough to separate Thornton Academy and Biddeford on Tuesday as the rivals played out a hotly contested 0-0 draw at Waterhouse Field.

Despite the lack of goals, both teams didn’t lack for chances, especially in a wide-open second half. But neither could find the required finishing touch needed to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Both teams were pushing forward, and the game was for the taking,” Thornton coach Andrew Carlson said. “It’s a small field here. It’s tough to really get in a rhythm for either team, and there was a lot of knocking the ball around and chasing. We struggled a little bit settling down to play our style of game.”

That lack of rhythm especially showed in a first half largely played in and around the midfield and devoid of chances.

Trying to take the Golden Trojans out of their passing game was the game plan, Biddeford coach Jeffrey Paquette said.

“We wanted to protect the middle, because that’s where all the danger is, and we did that tonight,” Paquette said. “We took away TA’s middle, and they struggled a little bit because they were launching the ball from the side, and it kind of took them out of their rhythm.

“We played with a high intensity and put them on their heels, and they became a kick-and-run team.”

While the first 40 minutes were cagey and claustrophobic, the second 40 were anything but, as both teams created fantastic chances to score.

Biddeford had two opportunities midway through the half, starting with a corner kick that Tristan Huot deflected. It looked to be heading into the twine, but at the last minute was saved off the goal line by a Trojans defender playing on the post.

Soon after, the Tigers had another solid shot at the first goal when Adam Michel sent a pass through two Trojan defenders that Griffin Worrell ran to inside the Thornton box, but his chip shot over goalkeeper Logan Gailitis (10 saves) hit the outside of the left post.

Thornton had its best opportunity of the game with 2:20 left in regulation, when Biddeford defender Jeff Thompson whiffed on a clearance to send a Trojans forward alone into the box. But Hale’s shot was nicely stopped by a diving Josh McCauley (11 saves), and both teams managed just one shot apiece across 10 minutes of overtime as the game ended in a tie.

“We created opportunities,” Carlson said. “We’ve just got to get on the end of those and convert some. When you create a lot of opportunities, hopefully the odds are going to be in your favor.”

“I’m disappointed with the tie because we did have some great opportunities and some breakaways, but I’m proud of my kids,” Paquette said. “This is the first game where they’ve put a full game together.

“They played with a lot of heart and a lot of intensity. TA will do that to you.”

With the draw, both teams remained winless on the season, with the Golden Trojans now 0-5-2 and the Tigers 0-4-1.

“It’s a little frustrating for the guys to work so hard and not see the results. They were hoping to come in here and have a positive result, and we’ve got to try to build off this,” Carlson said. “We’re pressing a little bit now. We’re anxious and everybody wants to be the hero, so they take on a little too much responsibility.

“We’ve got to try to have more confidence in each other and play a little more as a team, but the guys played with heart and played to the end, and that’s all you can ask.”

Thornton will have a chance to get into the win column when it hosts Marshwood on Thursday. Biddeford will travel to Waterboro to take on Massabesic.

Even though it wasn’t quite the result they were looking for, both coaches said they saw the draw as a building block to their respective seasons.

“It’s great to see my kids play to their potential,” said Paquette. “It’s something we can build on, and up next, we play another team in Massabesic that we can play with. Next up is to get a W.”

— Staff Writer Cameron Dunbar can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323.