LOUDONVILLE, NY – For the first time as a head coach, Siena Men's Soccer's Graciano Brito came away with a win over his alma mater and longtime employer, as his current loyalty began MAAC play at home Wednesday afternoon. The third-year leader of the Saints (5-3-1) helped the team come away with a 2-1 victory over MAAC rival Quinnipiac (5-3-1) at Hickey Field, giving the team its first win over the Bobcats since 2015.

After dropping back-to-back matches to end non-conference action, the Green and Gold picked up a win in its conference opener for the first time since 2019 and improved to 3-1 at home this season. The victory featured the return of sophomores Thomas Storodegard and Henrik Winkelmann to the field after the pair both missed the last two contests.

Siena wasted no time in getting out in front of its conference counterpart, with junior Bilal Hersi guiding a feed down the left sideline to cross to sophomore Zach Gardner, who finished for his third goal of the year in the second minute of play. Quinnipiac responded in the early part of the second half, with David Barcedo adding the equalizer in the 58^th minute.

Aided by strong play on both sides of the ball, the Saints grabbed the lead for good just over five minutes later, with Storodegard working a thru ball through multiple defenders and finally the goalkeeper to notch his fourth goal of the year in the 63^rd minute. Siena claimed victory despite being out-shot, 14-9, with six of its shots going on-goal compared to just two for the visitors.

Graduate student Greg Monroe picked up the victory while making his program record 71^st appearance in-goal for the program. The Clifton Park, New York native added a pivotal late-game save with an open palm in the 72^nd minute, and is now the program's all-time leader in goalkeeper wins, minutes played, and matched played.

Siena will wrap a two-game home stint to begin MAAC action on Saturday, October 1 against Manhattan at 2 PM, with coverage from Hickey Field airing live on ESPN3.