Nathan Messer scored the tying goal in the 69th minute, and Portland Hearts of Pine extended its unbeaten streak to four matches with a 1-1 draw Saturday night against the Charlotte Independence in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The results gave Portland seven out of a possible nine points in a busy stretch of three games in eight days. The Hearts won 1-0 in Texas last Saturday at Texoma – a game that ended after midnight – then followed with a 3-1 home victory Wednesday against Greenville Triumph SC.

Portland is in the middle of the pack in the USL League One standings with a 4-8-3 record after 15 matches.

Charlotte, which entered Saturday’s game in fourth place in USL1, dominated possession in the first half and took the lead on a goal by Fabrice Ngah in the 10th minute. Hearts, though, turned up the pressure after halftime and eventually pulled even thanks to Messer, who moved up from his position as a defender, collected a pass from Ollie Wright and connected with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty box on the left side. His hard strike found the corner to the left of keeper Matt Levy.

Next up for the Hearts is a Jagermeister Cup game at 6:30 Friday at Fitzpatrick Stadium against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The next USL1 game is Aug. 2 at One Knoxville SC.