LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Siena Men’s Soccer scored twice during a three-goal outburst spanning just 3:22 midway through the first half as the Saints defeated defending MAAC Regular Season Champion and overwhelming preseason favorite Monmouth 2-1 at Siena Turf Field. Senior captain Uros Antic and classmate Junior Rosero scored for the surging Saints which have won four of their last five.

 

Siena (5-6-2, 3-1) created numerous strong scoring opportunities during an impressive first half in which they attempted 11 shots and won seven corners. And in the 23^rd minute their hard work paid off when Antic corralled a loose ball in the box and roofed home his first score of the season over 6’6” Monmouth (4-6-2, 3-2) goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky.

 

However exactly one minute later the Hawks would respond. Miguel Alves’ free kick from just outside the top right corner of the box was saved by junior goalkeeper Aleksa Radosavljevic, but the rebound squirted free to Zachary Pereira who buried the tying tally.

 

But the Saints would have the final say during the wild scoring flurry as just 2:22 later Rosero netted the decisive goal. Junior striker Alexander Tejera flicked on the ball to freshman midfielder Conor McGlynn who chipped in Rosero. Both Rosero and Klenofsky collided jockeying for possession at the top of the box, but Rosero remained on his feet to put home what would prove to be the game-winner into the open net.

 

The game-winning goal was the fifth of Rosero’s three-year Siena career, tying him with Bill Rohrbach ’00 and former teammate Tom Allen ’15 for third most in program history.

 

Radosavljevic finished with four saves for the Saints which cooled off a Monmouth squad which had entered play winners of four of their previous five matches.

 

The reigning MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year and 2016 Preseason Player of the Year Klenofsky stopped three shots for the Hawks which received 10 of 11 first-place votes in this year’s MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

 

Siena held a 14-13 advantage in shots and an 11-4 margin in corners in earning their first win in five all-time matches against their new MAAC rivals since Monmouth joined the conference.  

 

The Saints return to action Saturday for their final regular season weekend home match against Saint Peter’s at 2 p.m. Just prior to kickoff, the team will honor its seven graduating seniors in a special ceremony.