Taking on its first nationally ranked opponent in eight seasons, Siena Men's Soccer opened the 2025 season with a road test against the #8 Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen Thursday evening from Amherst, MA. Despite a late rally, UMass was able to fend off the surging Saints in a 3-2 contest.
UMass finished the evening with a 17-6 shot advantage – including 11-3 on goal – and 7-5 on corners. In a busy season debut,
Bennet Glinder collected a career-high eight saves, with a handful of highlight-worthy ones keeping the Saints within striking distance.
Siena's season opened with a quick bang as
Campbell Stalker produced the team's first goal of the year exactly 100 seconds into the match. After receiving a lead pass from
Martin Piedeleu, the sophomore beat charging UMass goalie Alex Geczy to bury his first collegiate goal for the 1-0 advantage.
It took 20 minutes for the Minutemen to register their first shot on goal in the match, but the top-10 ranked team made it count. Aidan Kelly scored from inside the box, sneaking the ball bottom center just past Glinder for the early equalizer. UMass had a chance to take the lead less than seven minutes before halftime, but a diving Glinder denied them the go-ahead tally to enter the break even at 1-1.
Much like Siena in the first half, UMass looked to strike early in the second. Late in the 48th minute, Glinder knocked down a fiery shot on target, which ricocheted out in front of goal. While the ensuing rebound shot went in, offside was called to keep the match even.
However, the Minutemen avenged the offsides call when Alex Brown put the team ahead 2-1 as soon as the match entered the 55th minute. UMass extended its lead in the 72nd minute on another rebound following Glinder's sixth save of the game, this time off the foot of JP Mbuthia.
Looking for a spark,
Tomislav Vrdoljak connected with
Miguel Plaza from across the field for Siena's second goal of the match in the 77th minute. Following Plaza's tally, Siena maintained steady possession and out-shot UMass 2-0 with looks by
Jonathan Nilsson and Vrdoljak – but both shots were off target during the late push.
The Saints return to action on Monday, Aug. 25, to take on Boston College at 5 p.m. from Newton Campus Lacrosse & Soccer Field in Chestnut Hill, MA.
