WILMINGTON, Del. – Sometimes there are growing pains when there are newcomers to a team, and early on in the season, Post University Men's Soccer experienced those during their early season skid that saw them going 1-2-1 to start the year. But in their last two games, the pieces have started to come together for the Eagles, and with a rousing 4-1 road victory to kick off conference play against Wilmington University, it seems that Post is on the right track as they moved above .500 once again with the win. 

THE BASICS

Post University 4, Wilmington University 1

Post University (3-2-1, 1-0-0 CACC)

Wilmington University (1-4-1, 1-1-0 CACC)


HOW IT HAPPENED
Two goals in each half would pace an Eagles team that had just eight shots all game long but five of which would make it on net against sophomore goalkeeper Charlie Phillips who made one save on the day. Graduate midfielder Luca Dettoli, who now has three goals in six games, got the scoring started in the 20th minute with the help of senior forward Francisco Sousa and graduate midfielder Luis Rodrigues. Then with time winding down in the half, senior midfielder Diego Silva helped out freshman midfielder Len Fliss to get the Germany native his first collegiate goal to send Post into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Out of the half, freshman forward Marc Ballart took his turn at scoring his first collegiate goal as junior midfielder Markus Boe Tunge assisted on his goal which made it a 3-0 lead for the Eagles in only the 49th minute. Rounding out the scoring was Sousa in the 65th minute before 15 minutes later, freshman forward Derrick Henry netted the lone goal of the afternoon for the Wildcats.

In the 4-1 win for the Eagles, graduate goalkeeper Ricardo Moreno made five saves on six total attempts from the Wildcats to move to 2-0-0 in net this season while Phillips was only able to muster up one save on the five shots total that he faced. Overall, Post was outshot 10-8 and 7-5 in shots on goal while the Wildcats also led 6-5 in corner kicks and committed 12 fouls to the Eagles' 11 in the match. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• The 4-1 win was Head Coach Ted Haley's 200th career win leading the Men's Soccer program in their 19th season of competition -- Haley is just the second Post coach to reach 200 wins as Softball's Tracey Garofalo did it during her 15 seasons with the team reaching 301 wins 
• Ricardo Moreno nearly had his second straight shutout of the season after allowing just one goal while recording five saves in the win 
• Making the most of their opportunities, Post University scored four goals against Charlie Phillips in the match while Phillips had just one save 
• With his third goal of the season, Luca Dettoli has set his new single-season career high for goals at Post University after having two goals last season in 18 games played
• Post University is now 6-1-2 in their last nine matches against Wilmington University dating back to the end of the 2017 season

WHO'S NEXT
Post University has a few days off before they travel on the road to take on Gannon University in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon at 12:00 PM. Gannon was ranked 13th in last week's United Soccer Coaches National Poll after being previously unranked as they head into their first matchup in program history against the Eagles.