LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Women's Soccer looks to head into its offseason on a positive when the Saints host Iona in their 2023 finale Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Hickey Field.
 
Siena (3-9-4, 2-4-3) remained in MAAC Tournament contention until the final weekend of the regular season until being eliminated by Mount St. Mary's 2-0 Saturday in Maryland. The Saints, who entered the day just one point back of the Mount and only two points behind Manhattan – who at that juncture held the sixth and final MAAC Tournament spot – were shutout for the first time in eight matches.
 
Now Siena will look to bounce back following the most challenging part of its schedule, and wrap up its season on a high note. Predicted to finish eighth according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Saints can finish in at least a tie for seventh with a win coupled with a Manhattan loss or tie against undefeated regular season champion Quinnipiac Wednesday. Siena endured the MAAC gauntlet down the stretch, with their most recent five matches coming against the current top-five teams in the conference standings.
 
The future is bright for the Saints who are expected to return players who have accounted for 15 of the team's 19 goals so far this season as well as eight starters. Moreover, a MAAC-high 72% (42 of 58 points) of Siena's points this fall have come from underclassmen. Freshmen account for three of the top-four scorers, headlined by MAAC Rookie of the Year contender Megan Stowell who enters the final day of the regular season ranked tied for third overall in the MAAC in assists (five), fifth in scoring (13), and tied for eighth in goals (four).
 
Following a winning overall record each of the previous two seasons, Iona (1-14-3, 0-6-3) will end 2023 in the MAAC basement regardless of their result Wednesday. The Gaels are winless over their past 14 road contests (0-13-1) overall, as well as their last 12 MAAC matches (0-9-3), both dating back to last season.
 
Siena has faced Iona more times (41) than any other opponent, and dominated the all-time series to the tune of a 27-12-2 mark. The Saints have won 12 straight overall while outscoring the Gaels by a 31-7 margin, and are also unbeaten in their last 13 home contests (11-0-2) in the series while holding a 35-7 scoring advantage. Iona has not defeated Siena in a decade, dating back to a 1-0 decision on Oct. 19, 2013 in New Rochelle, and last won in Loudonville 1-0 in double overtime 23 years ago on Oct. 22, 2000.
 
"The Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari and Madison Jones have the call of the action on ESPN+, which can be viewed by clicking the corresponding link. Fans can also follow along via the live stats and on-site social media updates through the Siena Women's Soccer X (formerly Twitter) account @SienaWSoccer.