LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Water Polo took the pool for regular season action at the Siena Swim Center for the first time in nearly three seasons Saturday afternoon, falling in its 2021 season opener. The Saints (0-1) dropped a 15-7 decision to MAAC rival LIU (1-0) in the first of nine scheduled matches on the season.

Competing against the Sharks for just the second time in program history, Siena had to work from behind almost immediately, with LIU jetting out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter of play. Siena finally found the back of the net mid-way through the second period, with senior Kristen Burger scoring at the 4:33 mark.

Despite trailing, 8-1, at the half, the Saints rallied back to score six times in the second half of play, while allowing seven more goals for the Sharks. Juniors Georgia Vargas and Bianca Prinsloo each got on the score sheet in the third quarter, with the latter scoring twice in 58 seconds near the end of the period. LIU retained its lead by outscoring Siena, 5-3, in the final period, with Burger, senior Sophia Torres, and sophomore Grace Boeve each finding the back of the net. Sophomore Anna Mossakowski took the loss in-between-the-pipes for Siena, playing the duration of the match in-net.

Prior to the start of the match, Siena took home to honor its three senior members, with Burger, Torres, and Anna Borton all receiving recognition, Siena will be back in action on Saturday, April 3, when it heads to Lexington, Virginia to face MAAC foe VMI.