A season high first half scoring output for Marist lifted them to a 13-11 victory Saturday night over the Siena Saints. Goals by 10 different players helped contribute to a well-balanced attack from the Red Foxes in the win.
“It was a great win tonight in front of a really nice crowd,” said Head Coach Keegan Wilkinson. “I’m really proud, not only to be the coach here, but to have such a great group of alumni come back tonight to celebrate a win against our biggest rival in Siena.”
Coming into Saturday night’s matchup, Marist had won the last four meetings between the two teams. A recent two-game skid for the Red Foxes had them looking to get back on track against a Siena team that had won four of their last five.
It was a game of streaks early on Saturday night as both teams went back and forth trading goals. The Siena Saints converted three unanswered goals after the Red Foxes took an early lead in the first minute of the game. Marist came roaring back with three goals of their own after falling behind 3-1.
Keegan Wilkinson’s squad caught fire in the third period, outscoring the Saints 5-1. A fourth period rally by Siena gave some hope to the visitors, but the Red Foxes were able to fend off the late push.
“Those stops at the end defensively were the difference in the game,” Wilkinson said.
Marist dominated faceoffs throughout the game. The Red Foxes went seven for seven on faceoffs in the first quarter and would continue their success by taking 21 of 28 faceoffs over the Saints. Peyton Smith’s faceoff success proved to be key in the win for Marist.
“Every time I step on the field, I know my job is to give the offense the ball,” Smith said. “The more possessions we have, the more goals they can score which leads to more wins.”
The rare 7:00 p.m. start time for the game was something that Smith found special compared to an afternoon time.
“Playing under the lights at Tenney Stadium is a feeling like no other,” said the junior. “We don’t get a whole lot of night games, but when we do, they’re always electric. With so many people in the stands, it was awesome getting that win and looking up into the stands seeing all of our family and alumni.”
Eight goals is a season high in the first half for the Red Foxes this season. It ties a season high for any half this season, previously reached in a 14-13 win over Hartford on February 26. Jake Weinman led the charge for the Red Foxes with three goals. Vito Musso also chipped in with two goals of his own.
“I think the offense has done a great job,” said junior attacker Joe Tierney. “We had some up and down games and the biggest thing we’re trying to do is keep it consistent.”
It was also a solid outing for Marist goalkeeper Jake MacGregor. The redshirt sophomore tallied 12 saves and only allowed 11 goals by the Saints, giving himself a .522 save percentage on the evening.
Marist improves to 5-5 on the season and 3-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with the win. They will look to get over .500 for the second time this season next Saturday when they travel to Quinnipiac to take on the Bobcats.
Edited by Meaghan Roche