LOUDONVILLE, NY - Siena Men's Soccer (3-3) ended a two match losing skid Saturday afternoon by taking a 2-1 victory over first-time foe Merrimack (1-5-1) at Hickey Field. The Saints netted two unanswered goals to return to .500 on the season and improve to 2-1 at home.
 
The Warriors controlled play for much of the first half by out-shooting Siena, 10-4, and drawing both corner kicks in the first 45 minutes of action. Senior Nehemie Lamtoukou gave the visitors a 1-0 lead after controlling a blocked clear attempt and finishing in the low left side of the net in the 39^th minute of play. Following nearly a half of scoreless action, the Saints answered just under two minutes later, with freshmen Jacob Arachchige-Jensen and Erik Reis feeding a right-side ball to sophomore Bilal Hersi to finish towards the middle of the net for his first goal of the season.
 
The Green and Gold came alive offensively in the second half, drawing all five of their corner kick opportunities and out-shooting Merrimack, 6-5. The game's decider game in the 68^th minute, when Arachchige-Jensen dropped in a right-side corner that was headed in by freshman Zach Gardner from the back post for his first collegiate score.
 
Despite being out-shot, 15-10, on the day, the Saints received a pair of shot attempts each from Arachchige-Jensen and Hersi, with eight total players registering a shot. Senior goalkeeper Greg Monroe endured a busy first half in-net to tie a season-best with seven saves on the day.
 
Siena will head back out on the road next week to continue non-conference play with what may be their toughest challenge yet. The Saints will head to Burlington, Vermont to face Vermont, who was first among "Others Receiving Votes" in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll on Tuesday, September 21 at 7 PM.