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Climbing Towards the Top
June 2, 2008
Loudonville, N.Y. - The 2008 Siena men's lacrosse season was one for the record books, littered with a laundry list of accomplishments that the program had never had in its previous 40+ years of existence. Siena finished the season at 10-6, the first time ever the program posted back-to-back 10+ win seasons, and each and every one of those games provided excitement and milestones that made 2008 a season to remember. Following a blowout win over Presbyterian to begin the season, Siena encountered Ivy League power Harvard, a team opening its 130th season with 13 national championships to its name. Siena posted a thrilling 6-5 win, propelling the program to its first ever victory over an Ivy League team. With a key victory under its belt, the Saints were recognized the following Monday in the USILA Coaches Poll. While the Saints were not ranked, they did receive votes and maintained a spot in the poll for five weeks. It was the first time ever that the program had gained entrance to the rankings. In mid-March with the non-conference schedule winding down, Siena embarked on a key road showdown with national power, 17th ranked Loyola. Emerging sophomore Ryan Duggan netted a hat trick and fellow classmate Brent Herbst had a superb game posting 16 saves as Siena won 5-4, earning the program's first ever win over a ranked opponent. The performance against the Greyhounds began a string of four consecutive games in which Herbst allowed four goals or fewer in each game. He held the opposition to less than 10 goals in 14 of his 16 starts between the pipes, including an amazing eight occasions in which he limited opponents to five goals or less. Herbst thus finished the season with a microscopic 6.07 goals against average which ranked first nationally, making him the first Saint in program history to do so. The Saints moved on to conference action where they finished 4-4, placing them in a three-way tie for fourth and narrowly missing a tiebreaker to qualify for the MAAC Tournament.
A strong season garnered four Saints All-MAAC recognition. Both Duggan and junior defenseman Chris Viviano secured First Team honors. Herbst and attackman Matt Girsh held down spots on the Second Team. The honor was one of many during the year for Girsh who prior to the season also became the first player in school history to be named to the prestigious Warrior Tewaarton Award Watch List. Proving that academics are just as important as athletics, Siena was well-represented on the MAAC All-Academic Team as well, with seven players accruing GPA's of 3.20 or better throughout their collegiate careers to earn the award. Tim Hannigan, Kevin Hogan, J.P. Mulhall, Kevin Reilly, Charly Rogener, Mike Whalen and Herbst each took home the honors. Siena returns all but one starter next season and what was once a young and inexperience squad is now veteran and seasoned. The road to continued success gets no easier next season, with another challenging non-conference schedule which culminates with the season opener at nine-time national champion Johns Hopkins. But with a strong core returning, the Saints have what it takes to reach their ultimate goal in 2009 which is a trip back to the MAAC Tournament and a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. Siena Men's Lacrosse "Firsts" in 2008 • First Tewaarton Award Watch List Nominee (Matt Girsh) • First win over an Ivy League school (Defeated Harvard 6-5 on Feb. 23) • First time receiving votes to be ranked in USILA Coaches Poll on Feb. 25 • First win over a ranked opponent (Won 5-4 at #17 Loyola on Mar. 18) • First ever back-to-back 10+ win seasons in program history • First time ever ranking 1st nationally in team defense • First Saint to lead the nation in goals against average (Brent Herbst) |
