Saints Take Down NEC Favorite Saint Francis
LORETTO, PA – Rounding out 2019 opening weekend play, Siena Men's Soccer (1-1) cruised to a 4-2 win over Saint Francis (PA) (0-1) at the Stokes Soccerplex in Loretto, PA Sunday afternoon. The win gave the Saints their first of the season, posting their highest offensive output since a 4-1 win over LIU Brooklyn on August 26, 2016.
Opening the season after being picked as the preseason favorites to win the Northeast Conference and scoring five goals in a pair of exhibition matches, the Red Flash were silenced offensively until late in the second half, despite holding a 20-13 advantage in shots.
Coming off a 4-0 shutout loss at Lafayette to begin the year, the Saints saw their first goal of the season scored by sophomore Samuel Schwarz in the game's 12th minute, with help coming from senior Conor McGlynn and junior Alejandro Riquelme on a tick-tack-toe pass into the net.
Aside from aiding Schwarz in scoring his first collegiate goal, McGlynn would finish with four total points on the day, assisting with a goal by Riquelme in the 57th minute and finding the back of the net himself off a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Schwarz concluded the match as the team's leader in offense, collecting five shots.
Fresh off a MAAC All-Rookie Team nod to begin his time in the Capital Region, sophomore Birgir Thorsteinsson found the back of the net with held from Andreas Rosnes in the 74th minute to give the Saints the 4-0 advantage.
Although too late, Saint Francis fought back in the game's final minutes, notching goals in the 79th and 89th minutes of play to give the game it's final score.
Spending the entirety of the match in-goal, sophomore captain Greg Monroe registered seven saves to take home his first positive result of the season.
Following the weekend split, Siena will wrap up a three-game road trip to kick off the new year next weekend. The Saints will travel Army West Point on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. before hosting Bryant on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. to commence play at Hickey Field.
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