Geo Alves’ ninth minute goal was the difference as Northeast power Vermont edged Siena Soccer 1-0 in Burlington. Greg Monroe made four saves for the Saints, which came up just short on the road against a team which was receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches’ Poll released today including a regional ranking of third in the Northeast.

Vermont (6-2) held a 21-6 advantage in shots – albeit just a 6-4 margin in shots on goal – and a 12-5 differential in corners. Clay Thomas made four saves to earn the shutout for the Catamounts which improved to a perfect 5-0 at Virtue Field.

Alves scored the decisive goal at the 9:20 mark. Dadi Halldorsson played in a long ball to the left side of the box which Alves won in traffic and finished for his fifth goal in eight matches to open the season.

Linus Johansson registered three of the six shots for Siena (1-4-3) which dropped its non-conference finale.

The Saints will now have eight days to prepare for their conference opener which comes a week from Wednesday with a 4 p.m. kickoff at Niagara

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