Similar to his 84^th minute game-winning goal in the 2024 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Quarterfinals, Mario Navarro Perez came through in the clutch once again for Siena Men's Soccer against the Manhattan Jaspers. The junior scored two goals over the final 10 minutes of play in Siena's 3-2 MAAC-opening victory over the Jaspers from Riverdale, NY, Saturday afternoon.
 
With Siena in a man-up opportunity, Navarro Perez scored the equalizer in the 80^th minute before following with the game-winner in the 87^th as two of the team's eight shots on goal.
 
Siena (2-4, 1-0) out-shot the Jaspers (1-5-1, 0-1) 14-7, with Lucas Almeida and Navarro Perez responsible for four each. Along with Navarro Perez's goal – his first two of the season - Almeida scored his first goal as a Saint on his third attempt of the day and also assisted on Navarro Perez's game-winning tally. Karl Tchounjin, Mark Cajamarca, and Christian Amaral also had assists in the match. Bennet Glinder made two saves in the winning effort. 
 
Neither side produced a shot through the opening 27 minutes until Almeida had an attempt blocked by a Jasper defender. Almeida followed in the 36th minute with the first shot on-goal of the match but was met by Manhattan goalkeeper Ludvig Malberg who came out to make the save and keep the match scoreless. 
 
Almeida redeemed himself not long later, scoring the opening goal in the 39th minute to put Siena up. With halftime approaching, Henry Hamilton of Manhattan made a penalty kick in the 44th to even the score at halftime. 
 
The Jaspers had three shots through the opening 15 minutes of the second half and were rewarded with 30 minutes to play in the match, with Henry Reinhear scoring off a free kick opportunity to give Manhattan the lead. 
 
The Saints return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to host crosstown rival UAlbany at 4 p.m. on Hickey Field for the team's final non-conference contest of the season.