HAMDEN, CT – Welcome back to Connecticut, Zach Gardner, welcome back to Quinnipiac, Graciano Brito, and welcome to the 2023 season, Siena Men's Soccer. After starting the 2023 season 0-6 with a rigorous non-conference slate, the Saints (4-7, 4-1) have now won three straight conference matches and four of their last five games overall following a 1-0 triumph over defending MAAC champion Quinnipiac (2-7-3, 0-3-2) at QU Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium in Hamden, Connecticut on Saturday afternoon.

Traveling south for the only road match in a stretch of four games over two weeks, the Saints again took vengeance over Coach Brito's alma mater and former coaching home for the second straight year, marking Siena's first-ever win at The Q in program history.

After both teams entered the intermission scoreless following a relatively even first half of play, Siena came alive offensively as the final 45 minutes rolled on, out-shooting their opponents, 11-9, on the afternoon and 7-2 on-goal. The difference came in the 80^th minute when junior defender Henrik Winkelmann stopped a deflection from 25 yards out and fed it to Glastonbury, Connecticut native and fellow captain Gardner, who maneuvered the ball past the keeper into the far-right corner of the goal.  Gardner saw action in 72 minutes off the bench after missing the last two matches entirely due to injury.

Freshman Ben Biton led the visitors with three shots, while Gardner senior Junior Kone, and freshman Carl Melin each rattled off a pair of shots. Freshman goalkeeper Bennet Glinder recorded two saves in his second shutout in the last three games in-goal. Since starting the season 0-6, Siena has out-scored opponents 8-3 over the last five contests.

Siena will return home for three of its final five regular season contests, beginning on Wednesday, October 18 against Fairfield on Hickey Field ay 3 PM.