LOUDONVILLE, NY – After patiently waiting 512 days between matches prior to the start of their most recent spring season, reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champion Siena Women's Soccer is set to make a swift return to embark upon their title defense. Just 113 days after concluding a stellar spring campaign which culminated in the program's third MAAC Tournament Championship on the heels of their first-ever regular season crown, the Saints kick off the program's 42^nd varsity season Thursday when they host Binghamton in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Hickey Field.
 
"It's going to be harder than before, we're not going to sneak up on any teams and we've really got to work on everything," said head coach Steve Karbowski, who enters his 23^rd season at the helm just six wins shy of 200. "We can't assume we're just going to carry over from our previous games or experience. We just need to work from Day One and work hard."
 
Siena is looking to build off its outstanding spring season which saw the program capture the program's third MAAC Tournament Championship and first-ever regular season title. The Saints achieved a 6-1-2 overall record including a 4-0-1 ledger in the MAAC, prevailing during an unprecedented, unique, and abbreviated spring season in which the team persevered through the challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Siena overcame a 512-day shutdown between their final contest of 2019 and first game this past spring, which had been delayed further by an in-season COVID-19 pause. Despite thus having to play five regular season matches in the span of just 10 days, as well as being predicted to finish eighth according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll amongst numerous other obstacles, the resilient Saints emerged as champions.
 
Now Siena is primed, poised, and positioned as they set their sights on trying to achieve the unheard-of feat of winning two titles in one calendar year. The Saints return eight of 11 starters from their championship squad, including spring major awardees and Preseason All-MAAC selections Leslie Adams (2020-21 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year), Emily McNelis (2020-21 MAAC Tournament MVP), and Brianna Montinard (2020-21 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year). Siena was projected to finish third according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday, with the Saints receiving three first-place votes.
 
The Saints are prepared to return to a traditional 18-match regular season schedule this fall highlighted by nine home matches, which is tied for the program's most since playing a record 10 regular season home contests in 2013. Siena has achieved a stellar 76-27-15 (.708) overall record in Loudonville over the past 14 seasons, including a 37-9-3 (.786) mark in non-conference tilts. Following the season-opener against Binghamton, the Saints are set to close out their opening week Sunday with a 2 p.m. kickoff at Holy Cross on ESPN+. Siena thwarted Bryant 5-0 in the team's lone preseason tune-up this past Saturday in Rhode Island, punctuated by goals from five different scorers.
 
Siena and Binghamton meet for the 15^th time, with the Bearcats holding a 9-4-1 all-time advantage. The programs are set to meet for the first time since 2016, a 1-0 Binghamton overtime triumph in the 98^th minute in Vestal despite a 16-5 shot advantage for the Saints. The programs met for six consecutive seasons from 2011-16, with the home team winning each time in an even 3-3 split during that span.
 
Like Siena, Binghamton too is coming off a strong spring season in which the Bearcats posted a 6-2 record including a 4-1 conference mark while advancing to the America East Championship Match. Binghamton, which returns seven starters and 16 letterwinners while also welcoming a program-record 11 freshmen, is predicted to finish third according to the AE Preseason Poll.
 
Brett Bosley has the call of the Saints' season-opening match via Siena All-Access, which can be viewed free of charge by simply logging onto sienasaints.com/watch or by clicking the corresponding link. A total of eight women's soccer home matches are scheduled to be broadcast this fall, including four on the ESPN Family of Networks.
 
Fans wishing to attend any Siena Athletics games held on campus are required to adhere to the Siena Athletics Spectator Policy. All spectators are required to complete the Siena Athletics Spectator Screening Form at sienasaints.com/spectatorregistration, and receive clearance to attend, prior to their arrival on campus. All spectators must be vaccinated to be able to attend, and are required to bring proof of vaccination with them to campus. Unvaccinated children 12 and under must remain masked at all times. Spectators are requested to enter campus via Route 9 through the College's main gate on Loudon Road and check in at the Welcome Booth. All forms of tailgating are also currently prohibited at this time. This policy is guided by the alert level established by Siena College's COVID-19 Operations Team and is subject to change based on current conditions. Siena College and the athletic department will continue to monitor developments and alert spectators of any adjustments made to this policy.