LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Men's Soccer's perfect record in home openers under head coach Graciano Brito, as well as its eight-match unbeaten streak to a regional foe, came to an end on Tuesday evening at Hickey Field. The Saints (0-2) dropped a tight 1-0 contest to NEC foe Sacred Heart (1-1) in their first of seven home matches this season.

Following a contentious opening ten minutes which featured a close Siena opportunity that was called back on an offsides and three combined shots, Sacred Heart struck in the 35^th minute via a transition hustle that resulted in a near-side strike on the ground from ten yards out by Diego Garcia Gallego.

From there, the Pioneers kept Siena out of the scoring column with help from goalkeeper Andrew Hammersley's three saves. Sacred Heart held a 7-2 corner kicks advantage, and captured the win despite Siena owning a 9-7 shots lead and the Pioneers committing 15 fouls to Siena's eight.

Siena – who had multiple chances erased from offsides calls and a potential game-tying strike negated in the final minute off a post attempt from Anthony Rouse – received shots from eight different players for the second straight game, including a pair from sophomore midfielder Magnus Saaby. Freshman keeper Bennet Glinder registered one save in his second full game in-goal for the Green and Gold.

The Saints' next shot at both a goal and win on the season will come on Friday, September 1 when they welcome Patriot League foe Lafayette to Hickey Field at 4 PM. The action will air live on Siena All-Access.