Oct. 8, 2010
Box Score
Karbowski and Barone comment on the win
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - For a second time this season Siena found itself two goals down against a big-time contender. And for a second time the Saints' "Refuse to Lose" attitude paid dividends as the Green and Gold topped defending MAAC Champion Loyola 3-2 late Friday afternoon in front of a raucous Siena Field crowd. Junior Ashleigh Barone scored the final two goals including the game-winner as Siena improved its unblemished record to 11-0 and moved to 3-0 in the MAAC.
"By far this was the sweetest victory of the year," said head coach Steve Karbowski. "Loyola is a great team. They had us down 2-0 early, but it was a tremendous game and great to win like that."
Siena, which entered the match ranked nationally for the first time ever at No. 25 by Soccer America found themselves in early trouble. The Saints had only one win in 22 previous matches against Loyola (5-7-2, 1-2) and early on things did not look great.
The Greyhounds scored just under 10 minutes in when Gianna Mangione put in a free kick, and took an apparently commanding 2-0 advantage in the 21' when Nichole Schiro headed one in to put the Saints' hopes of a perfect season in jeopardy. It was the first time the Saints had trailed in their past eight matches, but once again the deficit would not last for long as the Saints would turn heartbreak into heaven.
The Saints chipped away in the 23' when Lindsay Tegas made an aggressive move in the box and drew a foul leading to a penalty kick. Loyola's aggressive style throughout the game cost them at times as they were whistled for 20 fouls while the Saints committed just eight.
Caitlin Cahalan stepped in and stuck the PK inside the left post for her third goal of the season as the Saints had new life trailing 2-1.
That would remain the score until the 55 minute mark when Barone simply took over the game. Cara Riley played in a ball that Barone got a toe on just before the goalie could corral it, went wide and buried it in the back of the net to tie things up. Then, with just 4:32 remaining, Barone put the finishing touches on what would be a very sweet victory.
Nicole Daly played the through ball in this time and once again Barone just beat her defender to the ball first and beat the keeper far side as the crowd erupted. Barone continued her recent red-hot play as she extended her scoring streak to five straight games. Over that time she has amassed 10 points on four goals - two of which have been game-winners - and two assists.
"This is as good as I've seen her play in three years," noted Karbowski on Barone. "She's relentless on the ball and she's finding ways to score with a lot of heart and talent as well."
"I think the mentality we have is don't lose," said Barone. "We knew when we were down 2-0 there was still a lot of time left, we had time to come back and we did."
The Saints return to action Sunday when they welcome in Rider for a 1 p.m. kick.
