Jan. 14, 2016
As we begin 2016, we take a look back at the top Siena Athletics' moments of 2015. Over the next 10 days, we will count down the Top-10 Moments of the Year, which concludes today with our #1 Moment.
The Moment
Nov. 8 - Siena Women's Soccer struck for three goals in the first 21 minutes and never looked back as the sixth seeded Saints capped their magical MAAC Tournament run by thrashing No. 2 seed Manhattan 5-2 in the championship match. Junior midfielder Kristen Connors scored her first two goals of the season and MAAC Tournament MVP Allison Clark added a goal and an assist in leading the cinderella Saints to the program's second MAAC Championship (2010).
Why We Loved It
The victory culminated an improbable run to a championship by the Saints. Just a month earlier, Siena was mired at 2-4 in conference action and in danger of missing out on postseason play altogether. Needing positive results in their final four matches, the Saints went 3-0-1 to secure the sixth and final MAAC Tournament berth and carried over their momentum to the postseason where they ultimately reeled off a magical seven-match unbeaten streak (6-0-1) which culminated with a title.
Behind the Scenes
Clark initiated the scoring just 42 seconds in and the floodgates were open from there as Siena would go on to set a MAAC Championship Match record with their five goals scored, which came against one of the top defenses in the country. Manhattan boasted both the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Jenny Bitzer and MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year Kristen Skonieczny and had allowed just four goals total in their first 11 matches against conference foes. Skonieczny had entered the match ranking fourth nationally in save percentage (.920) and fifth in goals against average (0.43).
Did You Know?
The Saints became the first ever No. 6 seed in the 24-year history of the MAAC Women's Soccer Tournament to emerge as champions. The Saints had no easy road to the title either, defeating the No. 1, 2 and 3-seeds along the way.
Quotable
"What a run," head coach Steve Karbowski said. "We had our backs against the wall for the last month and we just didn't want to lose. We had great leadership, tremendous focus. I'm really proud of our group."
Relive the Moment
Women's Soccer Wins MAAC Championship
