NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – A goal four minutes into extra time was the difference as the Post University men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 extra time tilt at #19 Merrimack on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles are 1-1 on the young season.
 
"Obviously we would've like to get the points, but overall we played very well and I am proud of how hard the guys have worked. It could've gone either way, we just made a few bad mistakes that gave them the ball cheaply and really hurt us," said head coach Ted Haley.
 
The winner came off the foot of Josue Ruiz Maya who received a deflected ball inside the box and booted it in from close range.
 
Merrimack broke through in the 24^th minute as Jamie Cortes Torres headed in a rebound after a shot off the crossbar. Just under five minutes later, a foul by the Eagles led to a penalty shot attempt for the Warriors, but senior goalkeeper Jon Hanlon (Centereach, N.Y.) came up with a huge save to keep the score 1-0.
 
Post was awarded a penalty kick of its own in the 34^th minute and grad student Mamadee Kamara (Bronx, N.Y.) converted to knot the game up 1-1.
 
Neither team could grab an advantage in the second half. In the closing moments, sophomore Dany Gomes (Bridgeport, Conn.) had an attempt saved from the top of the box. On the other end, Hanlon stopped a shot from close range to help send the game to extra time.
 
The Warriors outshot Post 15-10 overall and held a slim 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. Kamara had three shots for the Eagles. Hanlon made five saves.
 
"Overall I am happy with the way we played this weekend. Our team has great unity and that is very important at this point in the year," added Haley.
 
The tough early schedule for Post continues on Wednesday as the Eagles visit #8 Southern New Hampshire. Kickoff in Manchester is set for 7 p.m.