NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Philadelphia University men's soccer team's 2014 campaign came to a close with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Merrimack in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night at Southern Connecticut State.

Philadelphia, who made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1989, ends the season with an overall record of 16-5-1, two wins shy of tying the school record, and its second straight Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title.

Merrimack improves to 14-4-2 and will take on host Southern Connecticut in the second round on Sunday afternoon.

The Rams and Warriors each had seven shots at the goal in a scoreless first half.

Merrimack broke through at the 52:36 mark on a header by Joseph Briers. The Augusto Silva corner kick took a deflection off a Ram defender and bounced to Briers who scored third goal of the year.

The Warriors benefitted from another Ram deflection on a Silva shot from just inside the penalty area to move ahead 2-0 at 60:25.

Another deflection on a Silva shot from just inside the penalty area at the 60:25 mark led to the Warriors' second goal.

Philadelphia put pressure on the Merrimack goal with four shots on goal over the final 29:35, but the Warriors' Jose Silva came up with a save each time.

Silva finished the match with five saves, while Philadelphia's Thomas Attamante (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) stopped one shot.

Philadelphia owned a 14-12 shot advantage.