FAIRFIELD, CT – Siena Men's Lacrosse have reached the summit of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for the fourth time in program history with a 12-8 victory over host and top seed and No. 19/16 Sacred Heart on Campus Field Saturday afternoon. 

Through a defense that barked and showed plenty of bite, the Saints' unrelenting stopper Andrew Arcuri put forth one of his more complete performances of the season with 15 saves on a .652 save percentage to secure MAAC Tournament MVP honors.

Offensively, the Saints scored in timely spots—keying a 5-0 run that bridged the second the third quarters together and held the Pioneers scoreless for 17:19 – to take control of the game.

MAAC All-Tournament Team selection Pratt Reynolds scored a game-high five goals including two at the tail end to secure it. His 167 career goals are now one goal away from tying Tony Asterino's program record of 168, who played with Siena from 1978-81. 

Ryan McCarthy, the MAAC's top facilitator, was just that once again with five assists while the Saints received plenty of back up from Patrick Radomski and Conor Hufnagel who each scored twice. McCarthy and Hufnagel joined Arcuri and Reynolds on the MAAC All-Tournament Team. 

Siena was playing in a MAAC Championship for the second time in three seasons and previously won three MAAC Championships in 2009, 2011, and 2014. 

But it is the first championship won by MAAC Coach of the Year Liam Gleason, who began with the program in 2019.

And, it was certainly a collective team effort—one that coach Gleason envisioned when he created this culture for being a championship team. 

After Hufnagel scored to open the scoring on a pass from McCarthy, long stick midfielder Joe Valenza sprinted out and scored on a long outlet pass from goalkeeper Andrew Arcuri that went nearly half the field.

Siena was 3-of-7 on extra-man opportunities and took the lead at 3-2 when Radomski made good on an unassisted goal with 1:36 left in the opening frame.  Then, Radomski converted on a two men-up situation after Pioneers' goalkeeper Alex Pazienza and defender Max Manware were called for 30 second penalties that made it 4-4. 

Reynolds gave Siena the lead back at 5-4 with 2:51 remaining in the second quarter for the third lead change of the game and it broke the fourth tie. 

It was a second straight game where Siena (11-4) had to find a way despite being minus seven on face offs won (Sacred Heart held a 14-7 advantage). 

Travis Fry came through with a goal to get the second half started. Then, Reynolds added another goal.  Brandon Blenk came running full speed to contribute with his second career goal to push the lead to 8-4. 

The teams traded off goals for the remainder with the Pioneers (12-3) getting as close as a two-goal deficit when Matt Pepe converted on a man-up situation to make it a 10-8 Saints' lead. 

Reynolds put two more through the back of the net to seal it. 

Siena extended its win streak to nine, the longest winning streak it has had since a stretch from March 21, 2009 through May 3, 2009, in which the team won 10 straight games. 

Moreover, the Saints secured just the program's third-ever win over a nationally ranked opponent, and first in 12 years since defeating 10th ranked UAlbany 10-9 on Apr. 23, 2013 in Loudonville. Sacred Heart entered the week ranked 19th in the latest USILA Coaches' Poll and 16th in this week's Inside Lacrosse KANE Men's Division I Media Poll. Now 3-23 all-time vs. the USILA Top-20, Siena themselves was also amongst teams also receiving votes in the poll this week. 

Sacred Heart held a slim 38-36 advantage for shots, and 23-19 edge for shots on goal.

The Pioneers were paced by a trio of players in Jake Ward, Will Moulton, and Tim Kiely, who all scored twice. 

Next, Siena earns an automatic qualifying bid into the NCAA Tournament and will learn its next opponent in the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Selection Show that begins on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU.