LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Siena played with an extra man for the final 45:46 but could not take full advantage as the Saints fell to Buffalo 2-1 Friday afternoon at Siena Turf Field. Joe Miner, who has now accounted for three of the team’s four tallies this season, notched the Saints’ lone goal.

 

Vinny DiVirgilio put Buffalo (4-0-1) on the board first in the 29^th minute. Risto Latti cut into the left side of the box and passed right to DiVirgilio who in full stride blasted a shot just inside the right post.

 

The Bulls controlled most of the tempo for the first half, but as the stanza was winding down things appeared to turn Siena’s (2-3) way.

 

With 46 seconds remaining in the half, the Saints’ Matt Hemsley and the Bulls’ Garfield Williams got tangled up. Both players were issued cards, but Williams’ was a red card and Buffalo would play the remainder of the game a man down.

 

Although the teams were whistled for just a combined 19 fouls, it was a very chippy affair. With the Saints holding the advantage, they would out-shoot Buffalo 11-3 following Williams’ exit.

 

But Buffalo delivered a big blow in the 50^th minute when Andy Tiedt headed in a corner kick off the foot of Latti, extending the UB lead to 2-0.

 

The Saints would get their chances down the stretch and eventually pulled within a goal just five minutes later. Nick Viaggio sent in a long ball down the left side to Matt Hemsley who dribbled in and found the cutting Miner who reached out and redirected the ball into the goal.

 

Despite their opportunities, it would be the only goal the Saints could muster as the Buffalo defense held on in defeating the Saints for a sixth straight time.

 

Siena out-shot Buffalo 14-9, while Buffalo held a 5-4 edge in corners. Jack Binks made two saves in defeat, while the Bulls’ Jonathan Viscosi made all three of his saves in the second half to earn the victory.

 

After opening the season with five games in 14 days, the Saints now enjoy a bit of a break. The team will play just twice in the next 16 days, beginning with a trip to Vermont next Friday to face the Catamounts at 3 p.m.