GREENVILLE, S.C. — Hearts of Pine twice regained the lead Saturday night and were moments away from a hard-earned road victory before Greenville Triumph SC scored a stoppage-time equalizer to force a 3-3 draw.
The Hearts opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Aboubacar Camara found the back of the net, but Greenville answered before halftime to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.
The second half featured end-to-end action as both sides traded goals in an offensive battle. Diogo Barbosa restored Portland’s lead midway through the half before Greenville answered once again. Just minutes later, Konstantinos Georgallides put Hearts back in front at 3-2, capping another dangerous attacking sequence as Portland continued to create chances against one of the league’s top sides.
With the Hearts defending their one-goal advantage into stoppage time, Greenville found one final opportunity. Lucas Coutinho headed home a late equalizer, denying Hearts a road victory. The late goal was another difficult ending in a season that has featured more than a few heartbreaks in stoppage time for the Hearts.
It was another strong attacking performance from Portland, with three different Hearts finding the scoresheet and the club twice responding to regain the lead on the road.
The point moves Hearts to 7-8-5 on the season as the club continues to battle for a place in the USL League One playoffs.
Hearts return to Fitzpatrick Stadium on Wednesday night to host Connecticut United FC in a midseason friendly.