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Your Siena Saints opened the season strong, finishing the first semester with an impressive 13–5–1 record, good for 3rd place in the SECHL and 13th in the Northeast. Now, let’s take a look at how the second semester and the final stretch of the season unfolded;

The Saints wrapped up regular season play with a 3-2 shootout loss versus the Westfield State Owls. Although that final regular season loss left a sour taste in the team’s mouth they still finished out the second semester with a 3-2-1 record. Final scores include: FARMINGDALE 5 – 4 SIENA(L), MONTCLAIR 2- 5 SIENA (W), BINGHAMTON 2 – 5 SIENA (W), MARIST 2 – SIENA 3 (W), SACRED HEART 7 – 5 SIENA (L), WESTFIELD 3 – 2 SIENA (SOL). Senior netminder Matthew Witkop was able to get his first start of the season in the shootout loss versus Westfield State University. Despite the loss, Witkop posted 22 saves, and a .909 save percentage. After the game Witkop reflected on his final start with Siena saying;

“It meant so much to me. The road hasn’t been smooth for me the last few years but this team has always been there for me so getting on the ice one last time with them was special. I wanted to put my last couple starts in the past and just get back to having fun and that’s what the team allowed me to do. Having my team, friends and family all by my side was so great and it brought me back to the love of the game so for that I’m just so thankful.”

The final stretch was highlighted by Freshman Dominick Oppedisano with 2 Goals and 7 Assists, Sophomore Daalten DeMarsh with 4 Goals and 7 Assists, Senior TJ Pierce with 2 Goals and 4 Assists, and Senior Jay Kelleher with 5 Goals and 1 Assist.

Ending the season with a 2-1 SECHL record, the Saints were able to clinch 3rd place in the Super East. This gave them a favorable matchup versus Marist University at home for the quarter final round. Siena went 3-0 with a plus 6 goal differential taking its 5th consecutive I-87 Cup versus Marist in the regular season. Given the team’s regular season success against the Red Foxes, Assistant Coach Dave Hunter had this to say about the teams playoff preparation;

“Our team’s preparation changed for postseason games altogether, not specifically for one opponent but for what a weekend full of playoff hockey looks, and feels like. We spent more time focusing inside our locker room on what makes us successful regardless of what team we’re playing.” 

Siena opened up the quarter final matchup with a three goal first period with goals from Freshman Kaeden Wood and Luke Kurdziolek as well as Sophomore Patrick Temple. Marist would strike back with two early goals in the second but it would be Freshman Dominick Oppedisano who would put the Saints back on the board giving them a 4-2 lead heading into the third period. Marist would find a way to tie the game at four a piece with just 6:20 to go in the third. Twenty seconds later Senior Jay Kelleher would end all Red Fox hopes, putting the Saints back up by a goal. Oppedisano would add an empty net goal to seal the Saints 6-4 Victory over Marist. After netting the game winning goal Kelleher talked about what it meant to him to help propel his team to victory. 

“It felt great to be able to help out the team and beat Marist, especially in front of our home fans.” 

This Victory earned the Saints a spot in the SECHL semi final matchup versus #2 Sacred Heart University. The team would have a quick turnaround as the puck dropped for the semi final matchup the next day at 7:30 P.M. giving the Saints just over twenty four hours of rest. Usually when these two rivals face off you can count on two things, a high scoring affair and a lot of time in the sin bin but this was playoff hockey, where every shift tightens and goals are earned, not given. Sacred Heart ended the first period up 1-0 after a breakaway goal from Jackson Cantalupo but from there on out it was the Saints’ show to run. Sophomore Alex Hart would net his first career post season goal with five minutes left in the second to tie the game at one a piece and Senior TJ Pierce would help push the Saints to victory scoring the game winner with just two minutes left in the third. The Saints would go on to secure the 2-1 win with Senior goaltender Matthew McCarthy stopping 38 of 39 shots thrown his way. Postgame, McCarthy touched on his efforts to help advance his team saying;

“It was a blessing to be able to go out there and give it my all just one more time for the boys. I felt great, I was moving great and tracking great before the game which helped me get the job done. It feels so good to get the win and help move this program in a position that it has not been for a long time. Especially versus a rough opponent in Sacred Heart.” 

This victory gave Siena University its first crack at the SECHL title in nearly 15 years against the #1 seed Army West Point. The Saints took the ice for the SECHL Championship with less rest than the day before with just around twelve hours of rest. Siena fought hard until the final whistle but ended up coming up short with a 8-2 loss crowning Army West point as the 2025-2026 SECHL Champions. Here’s what Assistant Captain Daalten Demarsh had to say about the teams push to the SECHL finals; 

“The boys refused to give up, the team easily could have made excuses and given up, but that wasn’t an option. Playing 3 games in 36 hours is no easy feat and doing it while battling injury, missing guys, and still choosing to give it your all is a testament to this team. Being down 1-0 to Sacred Heart with the season on the line the boys kept the energy up and came together as a team to reach our goal of making it to the SECHL finals.”

Despite Siena’s result in the league finals, the SECHL awards were decorated with Siena’s Green and YELLOW. 16 Saints were named to the SECHL All Academic Team with a cumulative GPA above 3.3; Freshmen Jack Hogan, Brian Tonkovich, Luke Kurdziolek, Kaeden Wood, Dominick Oppedisano, Klaidi Gjini, Will Pipher, Sophomores Caleb Murray, Hayden McGuigan, Daalten DeMarsh, Alex Hart, Neil Roarty, Junior Braden King, and Seniors Anthony Zappala, Jay Kelleher and Matthew McCarthy were all named to the team. The Saints recruiting efforts paid off as they sent Freshman Kaeden Wood and Dominick Oppedisano to the SECHL All Rookie Team. Senior forward TJ Pierce and Senior defenseman Jay Kelleher’s efforts throughout the season were enough to earn them spots on the 2nd SECHL All Conference Team and Senior goaltender Matthew McCarthy along with Freshman forward Dominick Oppedisano were named to the 1st SECHL All Conference Team. To top off the Saints individual accolades Oppedisano was named the SECHL Rookie Of The Year. The 18 year old freshman finished the season with 13 Goals, 26 Assists for 39 points in 25 games played. After an accolade filled year finishing with All Academic Team, SECHL All Rookie Team, 1st SECHL All Conference Team, and Rookie of the Year honors, here’s what Oppedisano had to say about his breakthrough season; 

“This season has been very successful both individually and as a team. It’s been an honor being acknowledged like I have this year and my success is all rooted from my coaches and teammates. The ultimate goal is making it to nationals which we as a team are working on every day.”

Finishing ranked 13th in the Northeast, the Saints’ season wasn’t over yet as they headed down to Simsbury Connecticut to take on the 4th seeded UMass-Amherst Minutemen. Despite a lackluster first two periods, the Saints continued to fight, scoring the only two goals of the third period from Kurdziolek and DeMarsh. Siena would fall 5-2 and come up two wins short of heading to the ACHA M2 Nationals.

A special “Thank You” is in order for all of you, our family, friends, and fans who have been by our side every step of the way!