Oct. 9, 2009
Final Stats
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena tried to recreate last year's comeback against Iona in the waning minutes, but the Saints couldn't score the tying goal and lost 2-1 Friday afternoon at Siena Turf Field. Freshman forward Emery Welshman scored in the 83rd minute and the Saints had two more shots, but Nils Binstock made both saves to close out the game. Siena defeated Iona 3-2 in double overtime last season to clinch a spot in the MAAC Tournament and end Iona's playoff hopes.
Iona (7-1-2, 1-0) jumped on Siena right from the start as Torrecilla scored in the 4th minute. Giovanni Destasio beat his man down the left side and played a cross through the box. It evaded everyone except Torrecilla who buried it in the net at the right post. In the 13th minute, Mario Rios ripped a shot off a quick restart and it hit the crossbar and deflected out of play. Less than a minute later, Welshman fired a shot off the near post, just missing the equalizer.
Torrecilla made it 2-0 in the 15th minute on a scissor kick from nine yards out. Adam Rohan played a cross in from the right side and Torrecilla hung in the air and shot it past goalkeeper Phil Chabot.
Welshman hit his second bar four minutes before halftime. His header landed on the top of the crossbar and bounced harmlessly out of play.
Junior captain Steve Skonieczny, who relived Chabot in goal at halftime, made his presence felt in the opening minutes. Fernando Liserra sent Destasio in on a through ball and just as he reached it at the top of the box, Skonieczny came sliding out to break up the play. Siena tested Binstock in the second half with 12 shots, seven of them on goal. Welshman created another opportunity when Daniel Alderstad played a nifty ball to him on the left side. Welshman went at a defender, took it inside, and ripped a low shot that was saved by Binstock.
Destasio had two opportunities to put the game away in the final 30 minutes. He ran toward the left post, one-on-one with Skonieczny, but fired his shot wide of the far post. In the 68th minute, he had a breakaway but Skonieczny came out and made the save.
Welshman gave Siena life with 7 ½ minutes to play. Joe Taverense flipped his throw-in and Jannis Opalka flicked it backwards to Welshman who headed it into the goal. Siena managed two more shots in the final minutes, the best of which was a header by Tavernese, but Binstock made the saves. He finished with seven saves (six in the second half). Chabot (3-4-1) and Skonieczny each made one save.
Siena returns to action this Sunday when it hosts Fairfield at 3 p.m. The Stags defeated the Saints in the MAAC Tournament semifinals last season.
