This past weekend the Saints had their highly anticipated rematch versus Marist University in game two of the I-87 cup. The game also marked Siena’s third annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The event featured raffles, prizes, shirt sales and a ceremonial puck drop. Aside from all of the festivities, Siena’s mission was clear: “Keep the sign home”. The Saints were out to make a statement from puck drop as they scored three unanswered goals in the first period. Freshman Luke Kurdziolek found the back of the net on the powerplay just three minutes into the game, Sophomore Daalten DeMarsh would add his fifth of the year minutes later, and Assistant Captain Dominic Rosone capped off the period. In the second period the Saints would add a shorthanded goal from Senior TJ Pierce. Pierce would find the back of the net again for his tenth of the year just thirty seconds into the third period. Marist would then answer with two quick goals, but it would be Saints Sophomore Patrick Temple who would put the nail in the coffin giving the Saints a 6-2 lead. This score would hold to the end of the game and the Siena Saints would be crowned champions of the I-87 Cup for a fifth consecutive season. Looking into the numbers of Siena’s I-87 latest dynasty, the Saints have a record of 12-2-0 from 2021-2025. Rosone would end up with the game winner and the Player Of The Game. After Siena’s triumphant victory Captain Matthew McCarthy said:
“It feels great to take this home all for years. I’m so happy I got to do it with this group of guys. We know we have something special here and this is just the first step for us.”
Siena would travel down to Newburgh, New York for their second SECHL matchup against a familiar foe in Army. Last time these two played a back and fourth game ultimately ending in a 5-3 loss for the Saints. Brendan Connor would start the scoring for Army as he found the back of the net in the first minute of the game. Despite their slow start, Siena would be able to hold down and exit the first period down 1-0. The Saints looked to get on the board to start the second following a five minute misconduct from Army forward James Delia, but Army stymied their attempts to keep the game at 1-0. The Saints would then find themselves in a 2-0 hole after allowing a goal on a 5v3 penalty kill. 2-0 would hold until the end of the second period. Army capitalized yet again to start the third but this time Daalten DeMarsh and the Saints powerplay had the answer to move the score to 3-1. Army would tally on one more late in third to seal the door shut on a 4-1 victory.
The Saints look to bounce back next weekend with a home double header versus Clarkson University. Both of these matchups are SECHL league games, and Saturday’s matchup is Senior Night. This year Siena Hockey would like to congratulate Senior Goaltenders Matthew McCarthy and Matthew Witkop, Senior Defensemen Patrick Rowan and Jay Kelleher, as well as Senior Forwards Dominic Rosone, Anthony Zappala, TJ Pierce and Alex Stone for all of their hard work and dedication to the program.
Three Stars of the Weekend:
1st Star – TJ Pierce
2GP – 2G – 3A
2nd Star – Daalten DeMarsh
2GP – 2G – 0A
3rd Star – Dominic Rosone
2GP – 1G – 0A (1x POTG)