Waterbury, Conn. – Sophomore Francesco Perienelli scored twice, including a game-winner in the 88th minute as the Post University men's soccer team won its home opener against Bentley in thrilling fashion on Wednesday afternoon at LaMoy Field.
It was the Eagles first win of the season as they sit at 1-1-1 on the season.
In the 88th minute, in a match that looked destined for overtime, Perienelli took a touch pass from Antoine Trifonov, made a quick move to his right and put the ball past Bentley goalkeeper, Nick Maldarella.
It was Perenelli's second goal of the match. With the Eagles down 1-0, Perienelli took a beautiful pass from junior Sergio Diaz over the defender's head and put it home to tie the game in the 63rd minute.
Shortly after, Diaz scored a goal of his own, his second of the season, on a penalty kick in the 69th minute to give the Eagles a brief 2-1 lead.
Bentley answered with a goal from Julian Stewart off of a corner kick in the 73rd minute before Perienelli's heroics 15 minutes later.
"I'm proud of the overall effort and the fact that we didn't play really well and still managed to get the victory is massive," head coach Ted Haley said. "We haven't been down this year early the way we were today. I was proud of the way the guys battled back and stuck with their will to win."
The Eagles outshot Bentley, 18-10, with Diaz leading the way with six shots.
Sophomore David Mollenthial had six saves in goal for the Eagles.
Up next, the Eagles open up their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference schedule with a 3 p.m. match against Jefferson on Saturday, September 21.
