Feb. 14, 2007

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Siena men's lacrosse team was picked to finish fourth in the league's annual Preseason Coaches' poll announced this afternoon by conference officials. Senior attackman Matt Donovan and sophomore sensation Matt Girsh were named to the Preseason All-MAAC team.

Providence College, the defending MAAC champion, was predicted to finish in the league's top spot. Mount Saint Mary's was locked in for second, and Canisius College was picked third.

Last season, Donovan and Girsh delivered impressive first year performances in Loudonville. Donovan topped the Division I assist chart averaging 2.5 per game. He finished the 2006 campaign with a team-high 53 points registering 18 goals and 35 assists. Donovan was named to the All-MAAC First Team after this phenomenal junior campaign.

Girsh earned Rookie of the Year honors last season after averaging 2.57 goals per game which ranked fourth in all of Division I. Last year, he recorded 36 goals and 13 assists in his freshman debut.

Siena (4-10, 3-5) finished seventh in the league last season, but they have reason to be optimistic in 2007. The Saints return 76% of their scoring offense including their starting attack in Chris Zarins, Donovan and Girsh.

The Saints open the season in Colorado Springs, Colo. at Air Force on Feb. 25. Siena returns to Loudonville for their home opener on March 3 versus cross-town rival Albany.