LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Siena Soccer program could not be much hotter. The Saints erupted for the program’s highest goal total in four years in a convincing 5-1 triumph over Sacred Heart at Siena Turf Field.

 

The performance served as further validation for a Siena (4-0) program which is off to its best start in program history. Earlier in the day, the Saints received 12 votes in the latest NSCAA Top-25 Poll – the 34th highest total in the nation. Siena has never been nationally ranked.  

 

Siena put the match away early, scoring three times in 12 minutes. The Saints out-shot Sacred Heart (0-3-1) 12-2 in the first half to take a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, delighting the fans in the team’s final home match until Oct. 4. 

 

Sophomore transfer Uros Antic opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Junior transfer Junior Rosero stole the ball in deep and crossed to Antic for his first goal in a Siena uniform. Rosero finished with two assists.

 

Ten minutes later, reining MAAC Rookie of the Week and College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week Alexander Tejera scored his third goal in as many matches. After junior Tom Allen’s shot was saved, the freshman finished the rebound. Both Tejera and Allen posted three points apiece. 

 

Only 77 seconds thereafter Allen would light the lamp himself as the rout was on. Siena ultimately received five goals from five different scorers as junior Matt O’Brien (55’) and sophomore Alex Portela (’84) each found the back of the net in the second half as the Saints tied for their highest goal total since a 7-1 win over Saint Peter’s on Oct. 24, 2010. 

 

Sacred Heart avoided the shutout with a Julian Linke header in the 65th minute. Tucker Hackett made three saves for the Pioneers which have been outscored 9-2 by Siena the past two seasons. 

 

MAAC Defensive Player of the Week Josh Weiss added three saves in goal for the surging Saints which are also ranked second in the Northeast in the latest NSCAA Regional rankings. 

 

Siena can really begin to turn some heads this weekend with positive results in the Henson/Zaher Nike Classic in Oregon. The Saints face Oregon State Friday (10 p.m. ET) and Portland Sunday (4 p.m. ET) to open a program record six-match road trip. Like the Saints, both of those squads are also receiving votes in this week’s Top-25 Poll.