Nov. 21, 2003
Six members of the Siena 2003 football team were honored this afternoon for their on field achievements as Second-Team All-MAAC selections. Juniors Jim Oliveto and Charles Conklin were selected to the Second-Team Offense while seniors Ed Pietrowski and Dan Smacchia were joined by junior Terance Kehayas and sophomore Joe Serratelli on the Second-Team Defense.
Smacchia, the pre-season Defensive Player of the Year, missed the final six games of the season due to injury that ultimately relegated him to the Second Team. Smacchia was named to the MAACFL First-Team the previous two seasons. Despite missing over half the games this year, Smacchia finished with 63 tackles, good for seventh on the team. Defensive End Ed Pietrowski was the other repeat all-conference selection. Pietrowski was selected to the Second Team following his junior season last year and finished the 2003 campaign second on the team in tackles with a career high 74 and added a team-high eight sacks.
Oliveto anchored the offensive line throughout the year, switching positions along the line several times over the course of the year. Conklin proved to be the Saints' best offensive weapon, hitting several field goals greater than 40-yards, including setting his career long three times against Saint Peter's. Conklin finished the season 6-for-7 in field goal attempts, including a career-long 47-yarder and was 11-for-12 on extra point attempts.
Kehayas proved to be one of the Saints' best tacklers this season from his linebacker spot, improving his performance greatly when Smacchia was out. Kehayas finished the season first on the team in tackles with 76 and a pair of sacks. Serratelli finished the year sixth on the team in tackles with 65 from his safety position and added two interceptions.
The MAAC also released its MAAC All-Academic volleyball team, a 44-member ledger featuring eight Saints. Jonathan Baker, Ed Dahl, Brett Finlayson, Christian Karolus, Joe Piascik, Jeremy Reed, Steve Stern, and Ray Toohey were each recognized. Baker is a junior computer science major who carries a 3.86 grade point average. Dahl, a sophomore finance major, carries a 3.45 GPA. Finlayson, a junior, holds a 3.67 as an undeclared arts major. Karolus is a senior marketing and management major with a 3.82 GPA. Piascik, a senior Chemistry major, holds a 3.64 GPA. Reed, a senior political science major, carries a 3.34 GPA. Stern, a sophomore finance major carries a 3.27 GPA. Rounding out the Siena representatives is senior Ray Toohey, a history education major with a 3.23 GPA. To be eligible for the MAAC All-Academic Team, a student athlete must complete two semesters at their institution, be a significant starter or reserve and hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a 4.0 scale.
