LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Men’s Soccer (4-6, 1-1) fell to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Iona (6-2, 1-0) for the third year in a row on Saturday, suffering its first conference loss of the 2019 season. The Saints dropped a 2-0 decision to the Gaels while celebrating the 12 members of its 2020 graduating class at Hickey Field.

Returning home after a 3-1 conference-opening road win at Canisius last Wednesday, the Saints endured a physical match with their in-state league foes, as the teams totaled three cards and 35 fouls during the course of the contest.

Siena has a potential scoring opportunity called off in the 25^th minute, with sophomore Birgir Thorsteinsson called for being offside after chipping in a goal from the left side of the box.

Iona waited until the final minute of play in the first half, scoring off a corner kick with just four seconds remining before the intermission. The Gael’s Francesc Chulia found the back of the net with a strike from the top of the box as time ticked down, following a pass from the initial set piece.

Locking up their fifth consecutive victory, Iona struck again in the 58^th minute of play, with leading goal scorer Mauro Bravo receiving an outlet pass on a counter attack and fending off a Siena defender before scoring in the top right corner of the net.

The Saints were out-shot 14-8 offensively, with junior Alejandro Riquelme leading the way with four attempts including one that hit the top crossbar. Sophomore goalkeeper Greg Monroe spent the entirety of the match in-between-the-pipes for the Saints, making three saves in the process.

With Saturday marking the squad's final weekend home game of the 2019 season, the Saints also took time to honor 12 graduating members as part of their Senior Day festivities, making it one of the largest senior classes in Siena Athletics' history. Seniors Frank Cotroneo, Eddie Dakwa, Conor McGlynn, Matt Crisafulli. Matteo Curto, Carter Haydock, Cristobal Toledo, Eamonn Conway and Jesse Rodrigues, along with redshirt-juniors Alessandro Markovic & Kent Mohlar and junior Andreas Rosnes are all eligible to graduate this year and were recognized before and after the match.

Following the setback, The Saints will head back out on the road for two more conference matches. Siena will take on Monmouth on Wednesday, Oct. 9, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. from New Jersey