Sept. 1, 2011
Box Score
Siena returned home Thursday for their 2011 debut at Siena Turf Field, but an inspired defensive effort wasn't quite enough for the Saints, who dropped a 2-1 decision to the visiting Fairfield Stags. The Saints were outshot 26-5 on the day, but stayed in the game throughout and had chances to tie it late.
The game was scoreless most of the first half before Marit Westenberg found the back of the net with an unassisted blast in the 32nd minute. Fairfield (2-1) kept attacking the net for the rest of the game, but sophomore goalkeeper Beth Meyers turned away several great looks and kept the Saints (0-2) within striking distance.
Ultimately, the Green and Gold tied it up in the 55th minute, as sophomore Michaela Sullivan received a pass from freshman Katherine Bowie that drew the Fairfield goalkeeper out of the net. After the keeper stumbled, Sullivan fired the ball into the empty net for Siena's first goal of the 2011 season.
Fairfield, though, finally got one past Meyers again in the 59th minute. Westenberg scored her second goal of the game after a pass from Sarah Wickles landed at her stick in the center of the circle. The resulting slapshot whizzed by Meyers and just under the crossbar, leading to the eventual 2-1 final score.
Siena got two chances to tie the game again in the final minutes, when sophomore Cory dela Gorgendiere took a pair of short corners. However, shots by her and classmate Lindsay Mayo were stopped, and those would prove to be the final goal-scoring opportunities for the Saints.
Meyers ended the day with 13 saves, and the Siena defense turned away 14 Fairfield corners. The Saints will continue the search for their first win of 2011 next Wednesday, when they travel to Holy Cross for a 7 p.m. tilt.
