LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Graduate midfielder
Luis Rodrigues scored his first goal of the season for Post University Men's Soccer against Gannon University, who entered the day receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches National Poll, but the Eagles would be unable to hold the lead behind a second-half goal from the Golden Knights, working to their third consecutive tie to start the season and fifth overall dating back to last season.
THE BASICS
Post University 1, RV Gannon University 1
Post University (0-0-3)
RV Gannon University (1-1-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rodrigues' goal in the 14th minute came on a strike from inside the box after senior midfielder
Markus Boe Tunge passed the ball back to the graduate student with space. Senior goalkeeper Samuel Alarcon was unable to stop the shot that was rifled to the top dead center of the net, giving Post an early 1-0 lead on what would be their only shot on goal for the entire opening 45 minutes.
The Eagles were outshot 7-1 overall in the first half, and Gannon had five corner kicks to Post's one, but the Golden Knights would not record a single shot on goal as Alarcon or junior goalkeeper
Leopold Dufaut recorded a save. When all was set and done, the Golden Knights held a 20-6 advantage in overall shots, but just a 5-3 lead in shots on goal. Post was outshot again in the second half, this time by a 13-5 margin, with Dufaut making four saves to Alarcon's two saves.
Senior midfielder Sverre Orten netted the only goal of the match for Gannon in the 72nd minute with the help of freshman forwards Enzo Rekka and Jack Kenyon to tie things up at one, before Post had one more opportunity in the closing seconds to break the stalemate. Shooting the ball from about 45 yards out, senior midfielder
Diego Righi nearly caught Alarcon out of position in the net and hit the top left corner of the goal with three seconds left, but Alarcon would recover and get a hand on it, knocking it away as time expired to end the game in a 1-1 draw.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Luis Rodrigues' first-half goal breaks a stretch of nine consecutive games without a goal -- Rodrigues had three goals last season, scoring his last goal on November 2nd, 2024, against Chestnut Hill College
- Leopold Dufaut continues to dominate in net for Post University with another four saves in goal, bringing his season total to 16 saves in 270 minutes, while holding an 0-0-3 record
- Post University has tied their last five matches dating back to last season's NCAA Tournament, and all three of their ties to start the 2025 season have been 1-1 decisions
- This was only the second matchup all-time between Post University and Gannon University, with the previous one coming last season in Lock Haven, ending in a 4-0 loss for the Eagles
WHO'S NEXT
Opening up conference play this weekend, Post University heads to Jefferson University on Saturday afternoon for a 2:30 kickoff against the Rams in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles have won six consecutive matches against Jefferson, all in shutout fashion, including last year in the CACC Quarterfinals when
Markus Boe Tunge netted an overtime winner for Post in a 1-0 win.