GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The PSAC champion Millersville Marauders almost completed a swashbuckling comeback in Thursday's NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament first round, but eventually fell to CACC champion Post University 3-2.

The Marauders' season began as very youthful team hoping to grow and learn, and it ends after those players grinded out thirteen overall wins, nine conference wins, a PSAC championship for the second straight year, and a seventh appearance for the program in the NCAA Tournament.

Today's match was the first ever against Post University for Millersville. The Eagles were the first to score courtesy of substitute Giorgio Scarpecci in the 39^th minute. He would add another goal to make it 2-0 in the 67^th minute, but then Millersville began a late charge. Matteo Adiletta headed home a ball in the 79^th to make it a one-goal game but then Post's superstar Sergio Diaz scored his 17^th goal of the season to make it 3-1.

Spencer Shortt struck an incredible ball in the 88^th that found the upper 90 to make the game 3-2 but the Marauders simply ran out of time to try to find a third goal.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Post University got on the scoreboard in the 39^th minute. Phillimon Bedard-Kha hustled into the left side of the penalty box and chased down a ball that was heading out of bounds. He got there just in time and crossed it from the end line to the center of the box, where Giorgio Scarpecci put it into the net for the 1-0 lead. Scarpecci would score again after a defensive miscue left him a wide open shot at goal in the 67^th minute that increased the advantage to 2-0.
• Millersville's offense began to get into gear after the second Post goal. Spencer Shortt took a long run-up for a throw-in and launched it to the near post, finding the head of Bobby Wells, and it floated perfectly over to Matteo Adiletta in the center of the box. He put his head on it and drilled it past Post keeper David Mollenthial to make it a one-goal game.
• Post would answer back just two minutes later thanks to Sergio Diaz, who has had an incredible year for the Eagles. He pulled a shot just inside the lower right corner of the goal in the 81^st minute to make it 3-1. It was Diaz' 17^th goal of the season to go along with his 17 assists.
• Not going out quietly, the Marauders roared to life again in the 88^th minute. Shortt found some space and rocketed an absolute beauty of a shot into the top right corner of the goal. With only about a minute left to play there wasn't enough time for more late-game magic, and Post advanced in the bracket with the 3-2 win. They will play No. 6 Adelphi on Saturday in the second round.

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
• On a much better second half effort from his team: "Our second half response was good. We played with more courage and intent but the slow starts have been an issue for us all year. It's one of the areas we need to assess in the offseason and find solutions for. I love our never give up attitude and we need to maintain that but we also have to find ways to get ahead more consistently."
  
• On the value of playing on a big stage in the NCAA Tournament: "Playing in the tournament is a great experience and not one that many athletes get to experience. Experience is very valuable for this team right now. We have a great foundation to build upon and I want to see this team build in its conference success and take the next step. We now need to put Millersville back on the map at the regional and national level and that is our focus moving forward."

• On the development of the team in 2019: "The development has been good. The lessons learned have been very useful and we can be very proud of what we achieved. However, I know I am personally motivated to take the next step. I believe the players feel the same but it's going to take a lot of hard work. We have to take some time to reflect and enjoy our success of 2019, especially the players as they deserve that. Our seniors need to be honored and congratulated in the best way we can as they have earned and deserve that."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Post out-shot Millersville 15-5 but the Marauders held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks.
• Spencer Shortt's goal was his third of the season, besting his previous season high of two.
• Matteo Adiletta's goal was his fourth of 2019 and 11^th career collegiate goal.
• Bobby Wells' assist was the first of his collegiate career.
• Millersville goalkeeper Darian McCauley was credited with five saves in the game, ending with a total of 55 for the 2019 season.

NOTES
• The Marauders are now 6-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.