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MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Post University men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 double-overtime defeat in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Wilmington on Thursday night to finish its season. It marks the second consecutive season the Eagles were eliminated in the opening round.
 
"We were down a few key guys due to injury, but still had a great chance for victory. It all just caught up to us at the end and we weren't able to get it done," said head coach Ted Haley.
 
After each team scored within the first 25 minutes of the game, neither could gain an advantage until the second overtime period. In the 105^th minute, Lance Berry headed in a corner kick from Bruno Montini to give the Wildcats the victory.
 
Wilmington scored in the 16^th minute as Geoff Velasquez found the back of the net. Post answered quickly with a score in the 25^th minute. Sophomore Francisco Sastre (Sao Paolo, Brazil) received a pass from senior Jose Monterroza (Los Angeles, Calif.) and took a shot that was initially saved by Wildcats' goalkeeper Frank Hall. Hall bobbled the ball and Sastre knocked it past him to tie the match 1-1.
 
Junior Terrell Whitting (Naugatuck, Conn.) had a great chance to put Post ahead in the 61^st minute. He chipped the ball over Hall's head and just as it was about to cross the goal line a Wilmington defender was able to catch up to it and make the save.
 
Minutes later Sastre nearly put the Eagles ahead with a strong shot from just outside the box. Hall made the save, but the ball went straight up into the bottom of the crossbar and nearly went in. Over the final few minutes of the second half, Post had a few set pieces in the Wildcats' zone but could not convert.
 
Wilmington held a 24-15 advantage in shots and 8-6 in shots on goal. Sastre led the Eagles with five chances on the night, including three on target. Senior Andre Lindsay (Clarendon, Jamaica) made six saves.
 
"I'm very proud of the job these guys have done all season. All of the seniors had tremendous leadership and work ethic all year to get us to where we were," added Haley.
 
The Eagles finish the season at 15-3-2, their best record in program history. Post also achieved its highest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) ranking of No. 5 this season. The Eagles defeated two top-10 teams, most recently a 1-0 victory over No. 1 LIU-Post on Oct. 23.