LOUDONVILLE, NY – It will be seven weeks to the day that the Siena and Sacred Heart men's lacrosse teams last met in what was an 11-8 victory for the Saints on March 11.
But, a lot has changed for both teams since that last match up with the teams finding their stride toward the final stretch.
The Saints are coming off back-to-back victories against then No. 1 seeded MAAC teams when they faced them in Manhattan and Mount St. Mary's.
As for the Pioneers, they've rattled off a stretch in which they've won five of the last seven games including a convincing 15-8 win against Canisius last Saturday.
The matchup will be historic as well for Siena Men's Lacrosse (7-6 overall, 5-4 MAAC) as it will also be hosting its first-ever MAAC Postseason Game at Hickey Field against the Pioneers (5-9 overall, 5-4 MAAC) on Saturday at 12:02 p.m. on ESPN+. Chris Watson will have the call on play-by-play while Guy Waltman will serve as the color broadcasting analyst.
Tickets for the game as well as all MAAC Lacrosse postseason games can be bought on:
bit.ly/3LOoM4x
General ticket admission cost $10. Student tickets, senior\ tickets (age 65+) and youth tickets (children age six and under) are only $5.
Close games have been common for both teams as well. SHU has played in seven games decided by three goals or fewer including the Saints' victory against them earlier in the year when graduate student midfielder
Christian Watts led the way with four goals.
Close games have been familiar as well for the Saints, having played in eight games decided by three goals or fewer on the ledger.
The matchup between goalkeepers is a strong one that pits Siena's
Christopher Yanchoris (11.33 goals against average, .513 save percentage and 12.0 saves per game) against SHU's Alex Pazienza (11.74 goals against average, .530 save percentage and 13.07 saves per game).
Offensively, Siena has been led by sophomore attack
Pratt Reynolds (third in goals for conference only games with 22 goals scored in nine games) and Watts, who has 19 goals in nine conference games to rank tied for eighth in the MAAC. Graduate student attack
George Rusnak ranks tied for sixth in assists in conference-only games with 14 assists in nine games.
SHU sophomore Nicky Casano leads the Pioneers in faceoff winning percentage to rank tied for fifth in the category (.518) for MAAC games. Casano won 15 of 22 faceoffs against Siena in the match up earlier this season. Sal Miccio led the Pioneers in scoring for that game with two goals and one assist.
Top scorers for the Pioneers are Jake Ward (28 goals, seven assists), Miccio (21 goals, 13 assists) and Jake Garb (20 goals, 13 assists).
Siena's defensive back line has three players currently ranked in the top 10 in caused turnovers per game. All-MAAC First Team Defense Selection
Trevor Marsala (19), All-MAAC Second Team Defense Selection
Brian Mack (13) and
Andrew Rooney (11) are tied for second, tied for sixth and tied for ninth in the category in MAAC contests.
Siena top scorers are
Ryan McCarthy (18 goals, 23 assists), Watts (30 goals, six assists) and Rusnak (16 goals, 20 assists).
The winner will advance to the MAAC Semifinals with an opponent to be determined at Manhattan on Thursday, May 4 with noon and 1 p.m. start times.
The other opening round features #3 Marist taking on #6 Quinnipiac at 7 p.m. on Saturday. No. 1 Manhattan and No. 2 Mount St. Mary's will await the winners.
Manhattan will play the highest remaining seed in the tournament while Mount St. Mary's will play the lowest remaining seed.
