March 11, 2008

Loudonville, N.Y. - The Siena men's lacrosse team picked up numerous awards with a pair of players being honored by the MAAC, while the team was awarded votes to be ranked in the latest USILA Coaches Poll. Junior attack Matt Girsh was named MAAC Player of the Week, while sophomore goalie Brent Herbst picked up Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Girsh, who was named MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, secured his first Player of the Week honors of the season. Girsh led the Saints recording six goals and two assists for eight points in a pair of games during the week. On Tuesday, he led the Green and Gold posting a hat trick and adding an assist in Siena's dominating 12-3 win over northeast power Vermont. Then on Sunday, Girsh duplicated his stats once again with another three goal and one assist performance in a narrow loss at Stony Brook.

Girsh has had another phenomenal start to his season, posting a team leading 11 goals and six assists for 17 points in just four games.

Herbst meanwhile was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks of voting this season. Against the Catamounts, Herbst made ten stops while only allowing three goals in Siena's 12-3 triumph. Then against Stony Brook, Herbst faced 31 shots on goal, turning aside 14 as he gave Siena a chance late in the game to mount a comeback opportunity. In four games this season, Herbst has been stellar between the pipes, surrendering just 23 goals in four games.

It also marks the second time in three weeks of polls this season that the Saints are receiving votes to be ranked in the USILA Coaches Poll. Siena had never received votes in the poll prior to their first ever showing in the Week 1 poll, released two weeks ago.

The Saints return to action when their road trip continues when they embark on their MAAC regular season title defense with their conference opener against Saint Joseph's. Game time is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon from Philadelphia.