Box Score
It was all there for the Eagles in the team's first-ever home football game Saturday against Mansfield University. They just came up a few plays short. Post University lost a heartbreaker, 7-6, in front of over 1,000 screaming fans at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.
A win would have capped off a venerable season for Post University (1-3), having just kicked off in its first game only one month ago. Instead, Mansfield (2-4) escaped with a one-point win and undoubtedly a greater respect for a burgeoning program.
The Eagles almost pulled it off, thanks in large part to a voracious, hard-hitting defense that held Mansfield to just 130 total yards, including an almost mind-numbing 52 yards rushing on 38 attempts.
Waterbury native Chris Lopez led Post University with 6 tackles, 2 for a loss, while Charles May added 5 tackles. Lopez, May, and David Footman each recorded a sack for the Eagles.
Post University was done in by seven turnovers, including six fumbles.
Still, the Eagles had a chance to pull off a dramatic victory in front of their hometown fans.
Trailing 7-6 with 43 seconds left, Eagles returner Daniel Awwad took a punt from the Eagles' 32 yard line, juked two defenders, and sprinted up the sideline for 26 yards, putting the Eagles in business at the Mansfield 42.
Two plays later, quarterback Sir-Darryl Johnson found wideout Rashaun Reid for 19 yards, setting the Eagles up at the 28 yard line with 9 seconds left.
But Johnson's last-gasp shot at the end zone was intercepted by Troy Taylor, and Mansfield held on for the one-point win.
LaShaun Yates scored the lone touchdown for the Eagles, reeling in a 6-yard strike from Johnson, to give Post University a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Yates led the Eagles with 71 yards receiving.
Mansfield responded late in the second quarter, as Kevin Valentine hauled in a 14-yard pass from Kode Plank. Ryan Lose added the extra point, giving the Mountaineers a 7-6 lead they would never relinquish.
After the game, Post University coach Pete Ewald said he was proud of the way his team competed all season long.
“It hurts to lose this one, for sure, but I think the fact that we were extremely competitive in our first year, especially not knowing what to expect coming into this league, is satisfying,” Ewald said. “I think we've come a long way.”
