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This past weekend the Saints hit the road out to Western New York to face Niagara University and Saint Bonaventure University. This road trip marks the first of the year for Siena, and they had a big test ahead of them Friday night versus the undefeated Niagara Purple Eagles.
The puck dropped at 7:30 in Dwyer Arena. Purple Eagle forward Ben Macrobbie found a tricky angel on net to open the scoring, making it 1-0 Niagara. This lead would carry into the second before Freshman forward Dominick Oppedisano would tie the game at one a piece with his fourth goal of the year. Niagara would then answer with two more goals before the end of the period to make it 3-1, Niagara. Halfway through the third period, Senior defenseman Jay Kelleher and the Saints power play connected to cut the lead down to one goal. The Purple Eagles would strike two more times before the end of the game claiming the 5-2 victory, and handing the Saints their second loss of the year.
There was no time to dwell on the past as Siena had a mid-day puck drop in St. Bonaventure, New York versus the Bonnies. Sophomore goaltender Caleb Murray would get his first start of the year, looking to back up his SECHL All Rookie-Team freshman season. The game stayed quiet until early in the second period when Assistant Captain Daalten DeMarsh found himself on a short handed breakaway to open the scoring, making it 1-0 Siena. The Bonnies would answer with two goals of their own before the end of the period, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. The well conditioned Siena Saints would close out the game scoring three unanswered goals from forwards Tj Pierce, Luke Kurdziolek and Nate Scarincio (EN). Siena won this game 4-2, and improved to 6-2-0 on the season. After netting the game winner on Saturday, Kurdziolek had this to say;
“It felt good to get that win after the loss in the last game, and help Murray get his first win of the year”.
Caleb Murray stopped 28 of 30 shots against, and was named the Player Of The Game by his teammates.
Although it may seem like it, this weekend was not all about hockey. Sunday morning in Albany, New York the American Cancer Society hosted the 30th annual Making Strides Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Despite a weekend full of competition and traveling, the Saints spent their Sunday volunteering with smiles on their faces. Whether it was helping walkers register for the event, helping to coordinate walkers’ experience before, during, and after the event, or even helping to collect signatures on petitions to enact change, the Saints were busy dressed in pink. Volunteering at this event is just the start of the Saints’ charitable endeavors, as they also host the Westfield Owls on November 11th for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Fundraising Game.
The Saints will take on Rowan University at home this Saturday, 10/25 at 4:30 p.m.
Three Stars of the Weekend
1st Star – Luke Kurdziolek
2GP – 2G – 1A
2nd Star – Caleb Murray
1GP – 28SVS – 0.933 SV% (1x POTG)
3rd Star – Daalten DeMarsh
2GP – 1G – 2A