Siena Women’s Soccer scored twice in the final 18 minutes punctuated by senior captain Meghan Riccardi’s game-winning goal with just 14 seconds remaining as the Saints rallied late to stun UMass 2-1 in Amherst. Sophomore Jayanna Monds knotted the score in the 72^nd minute for Siena which improved to an undefeated 2-0-2 over its past four road openers.

 

With time winding down in regulation and the match seemingly headed to overtime, Carrie Krohn set up the decisive tally. The freshman fought for possession in the corner, dug the ball out, and dribbled towards the box before playing it up top to Riccardi who curled home the winning one-timer inside the far post.

 

Of the three Siena (2-1) goals so far on the young season, two have now been scored in either the first or final 16 seconds of either half. Sophomore Deanna Lomino scored just 16 seconds into the Saints’ season opening 1-0 win over Big East foe Seton Hall last Friday.

 

Siena controlled play in the first half and UMass (1-2) the second, although it was the opposite side which accounted for the scoring in each stanza. The Saints attempted the first six shots of the match, but it was UMass which struck first on their initial shot of the afternoon off the foot of Kelly Marra in the 21^st minute. Siena held an 8-4 advantage in shots over the opening 45 minutes, however it was UMass which would carry the 1-0 lead into the break.

 

Meanwhile the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with UMass dictating play, but with the Saints being the side to inflict the damage. UMass registered the first eight shots of the half and out-shot Siena 10-3 in the stanza, although the Saints scored on two of their targets while hitting the crossbar on the other. Monds netted the equalizer with 17:09 to play, chipping home a shot from in close over the charging UMass goalie off a feed from freshman Ashleigh Sarafin.

 

Overall, UMass held a 14-11 edge in shots while each side attempted three corners apiece. Junior goalkeeper Taylor Dorado came up big late, making four of her six saves during an unblemished second half.

 

Siena concludes a busy three-match week Sunday with a 3 p.m. kickoff at Central Connecticut.