Eamonn Conway tallied a career-high three points and scored the game-winning goal as Siena Soccer kicked off its milestone 30^th season of MAAC competition with a 2-1 victory at Niagara. Birgir Thorsteinsson also scored for the Saints which improved to 6-0-1 vs. the Purple Eagles under head coach Cesar Markovic.

 

Siena (2-4-3, 1-0) held a 10-5 advantage in shots in improving to 3-0-1 over its last four conference lid-lifters. Niagara (2-7, 0-1) harbored a 7-4 margin in corners.

 

Thorsteinsson staked the Saints to a quick lead with a sixth minute strike off a feed from Conway for the freshman’s second goal of the season. In the 23^rd minute, Siena took a commanding two-goal advantage when Conway finished a cross from Aaron Martin for the junior’s first collegiate goal.

 

The Saints’ defense was superb in allowing a season-low in shots, with the only blemish coming on Absolom Solorio’s 75^th minute penalty kick score. But the Purple Eagles’ Bautista Pedezert was sent off following his second yellow with just under eight minutes remaining, as Siena salted away the final moments with an 11-on-10 advantage.

 

The Saints return to action Saturday when they host Monmouth at 1 p.m.