LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Siena Saints men's lacrosse program enters year three under the tutaledge of head coach Liam Gleason as they will play host to the Canisius Golden Griffins on Saturday afternoon. Things will get going at approximately 2 PM at Hickey Field.
 
Follow the Saints' season opening game by clicking on the corresponding live video and live stats links at the top of the page. Watch via Siena All-Access live stream, where Joe Mixie will have the play-by-play call. Continuous in-match updates will be provided via the team's official twitter page @SienaLacrosse. Join the conversation by using the hashtags #MarchOn, #SienaSaints, and #MAACLAX.
 
Siena gets their 2020 campaign off the ground at home for the fourth year in a row. In their home openers in program history, the Saints are 21-36 all-time, including a 1-1 mark under Gleason. This will be the 33^rd overall meeting between the Golden Griffins and Saints, with Canisius owning the 21-11 advantage.
 
Siena came to a 2-4 record before last season's shutdown, snagging wins over LIU and NJIT. This season, the Saints were picked to finish sixth in the MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll, with fifth-year Dylan Pantalone and senior Jack Kiernan both earning Preseason All-MAAC Honors. Taking the top spot with 63 points and seven of the eight first place votes was Marist. Detroit Mercy would take second with 53 points and one first place vote. Monmouth would be picked third with 40 points, followed by Quinnipiac in fourth with 38 points. Manhattan pulled in 32 points in fifth, followed by the Saints in sixth with 29 points. Rounding out the poll in seventh and eighth were Canisius (25) and St. Bonaventure (8).
 
The elder statesman of the group in terms of offense, Kiernan looked well on his way to an All-MAAC season just a year ago collecting 29 points in just six games on 16 goals and 13 assists. With 65 career points in the books, the senior looks to build off his 2020 sample and lead the Saints offensively one more time in this his first Preseason All-MAAC team selection in his career.
 
Siena returns plenty of upperclass talent, led by Kiernan on attack and Pantalone at the midfield. Kiernan led the MAAC in scoring before the season was cut short last season, while Pantalone returns for a fifth year to anchor the midfield attack. The Saints will also look to seniors Nick Pepe and Braedon Labar to lead the back lines on defense. The quad of upperclassman were named captains of the team.
 
After Saturday's matchup with Canisius, the Saints return home to take on Monmouth on Saturday, Mar. 13 at 1 PM.