LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — Once the Siena Men's Lacrosse team got going midway through the third quarter, the Saints rode that wave of momentum to the tune of seven consecutive goals scored to take control of the game and ultimately won 15-11 over RV/RV Sacred Heart on Saturday's Senior Day at Hickey Field.

The Saints (10-2 overall, 6-0 MAAC), who are receiving votes in both the latest USILA Coaches Poll and the KANE Inside Lacrosse Division 1 Media Polls, reeled off its seventh straight victory and 10^th consecutive home victory dating back to February of 2025 to clinch a MAAC postseason berth for a sixth straight season. 

The Saints' faceoff unit dominated, winning 22 of 30 faceoffs including 21 of 28 from sophomore Logan Banek in a match up that featured the conference's top two face off specialists on paper in Banek and SHU's Ryan Grove. Banek and Grove have combined to win nine of 13 MAAC Face Off Specialist Weekly awards thus far this season.  But on Saturday, it was Banek who gave Siena the big edge.

In a rematch of the 2025 MAAC Championship, Sacred Heart (10-2, 4-2 MAAC) had led 7-5 with 13:36 remaining in the third quarter after a goal scored by Matt Pepe. But, that's when the big Saints' run started. Patrick Linton began the comeback with a goal at 8:37, assisted by Conor Hufnagel, who then scored another goal himself shortly after. Caden Olmstead and Travis Fry each added to the tally, with Fry also assisting on Linton's second goal of the quarter at :23. The Saints' defense, led by Vito DeBellis, held strong, causing turnovers and facilitating successful clears, ending the quarter with the Saints leading 11-7.

The fourth quarter was marked by a balanced scoring output from both teams, ending with each side netting four goals. Olmstead opened the scoring at 11:57, followed by a quick response from the Pioneers' Tim Kiely at 10:17, assisted by Palasz. Jake Holmes added to the Pioneers' tally with a goal at 9:34, assisted by Tommy Bull, before Hufnagel restored the Saints' lead at 7:38. Holmes scored again for the Pioneers at 5:02, bringing the score closer. Olmstead, assisted by Fry, and Liam Lennon, also assisted by Fry, each scored for the Saints, with Lennon's goal coming at just 24 seconds left in the game. John Murray scored the Pioneers' final goal at :39, but the Saints maintained their advantage to secure a 15-11 victory.

In the first quarter, the Pioneers quickly capitalized with Joel Palasz scoring the first goal at 7:05. Palasz found the net again at 3:34, extending the visitors' lead. John Murray added a goal at 2:33, pushing the Pioneers ahead by three. The Saints responded with Patrick Linton scoring off an assist from Conor Hufnagel at 2:08. The first quarter concluded with Sacred Heart leading 3-1.

The Saints and the Pioneers exchanged goals in a high-paced second quarter. Gavin Blenk scored early at 13:15, quickly followed by a goal from Logan Banek at 13:01, putting the Saints ahead. The Pioneers' Jake Carney responded with two goals, the first at 9:08 and another at 5:13, both assisted by teammates. Colby LeBlanc added to the Saints' tally with a goal at 6:46, maintaining a close contest. In the final minutes, Pepe scored for the Pioneers at 1:42, and Blenk capped the quarter with his second goal at 1:06, leaving the Saints trailing 6-5 at the end.

Siena will be back in action this Tuesday when it takes on crosstown rival UAlbany (7-4 overall, 5-0 AE) in a rematch of last year's 2025 NCAA Tournament Game at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Casey Casey Stadium at 7 p.m. The game will feature a tribute to former late Siena coach Liam Gleason, who tragically passed away last December. The game will bring awareness to Organ Donation in the LarGer than Life Game.