LOUDONVILLE, NY – Taking to their home field for the first time in the 2019 season, Siena Men's Soccer (1-3) could not shut down the offense of first time opponent Bryant (1-2) at Hickey field Sunday afternoon. Both teams netted a pair of goals in the second half, but the Saints ultimately fell to the Bulldogs, 3-2, marking their second straight loss.
Coming off a three-game road trip to start the season, the Saints were forced to defend their home turf immediately in the first half, and were out-shot 8-5 by Bryant during that time. Locking up their first road non-conference victory since 2014, the Bulldogs used a tick-tack-toe pass to get on the board in the 33rd minute of play, with Matt Supczak finishing the play.
Following the intermission, the Bulldogs quickly struck again with senior captain George Gill chipping in a service from the left inside corner of the box in the 48th minute. The away team put up their largest lead of the day in the 61st minute, when leading scorer Ben Williams but in an outlet pass from Alex DaCosta from just inside the middle of the 18-yard area. DaCosta would notch an assist on each of the Bulldogs' three scoring plays.
Led by junior Alejandro Riquelme's five shot attempts, the Saints began the uphill climb in the second half, ultimately out-shooting Bryant, 8-7 in the period.
Following a pair of saves made by Bryant goalkeeper Olivier Larente, the Green and Gold final broke onto the scoreboard in the 73rd minute of play, with sophomore Aaron Martin netting a goal for the second straight match. The 2018 MAAC All-Rookie Team selection put the saints on the board by converting an outlet pass from Riquelme in the far right of the box.
As the game went on, the physicality between both teams increased, with five total cards and 29 combined fouls being dealt out throughout the duration of the contest.
With time winding down, Siena freshman Gylfi Gestsson scored his first collegiate goal to put his squad within one, dropping a ball in from just outside the box that bounced to the left of the goalkeeper with 29 seconds remaining. The rally was too little too late however, as the Bulldogs walked away with the win in the first meeting between the two teams.
Sophomore captain Greg Monroe once again spent the entirety of the match in-goal for the Saints, registering three saves in the process.
Siena will look to get back in the win column on Friday, September 13, when they travel to face in-state foe Stony Brook at 7:00 p.m. The Saints return home to Hickey field on Monday, September 16 to host Vermont at 3:00 p.m., with game coverage available on Siena All-Access.
