Oct. 26, 2007

Final Stats

Loudonville, N.Y. - The Siena men's soccer team fell to Fairfield (9-4-2, 4-2-1) 1-0 this afternoon in Loudonville. Stags defender Erik Illsije posted the game winning goal in the 56th minute to lead Fairfield past Siena (4-7-2, 1-3-1).

The teams battled through the first 45 minutes of action. Siena nearly got on the scoreboard in the 17th minute when senior forward Thomas Ciovacco lofted a shot on goal from the top of the box that was just saved by the lunging Fairfield goalkeeper Matt Cleveland.

The squads entered intermission locked at a scoreless tie.

With 55:50 on the clock, Illsije broke up the Saints shutout effort when he connected on the sole goal of the contest. Illsije accepted a corner kick in the box and sent a header into the back of the net giving Fairfield a 1-0 advantage.

The Saints threatened soon after but could not take advantage of a scoring opportunity. In the 75th minute, junior midfielder Mike DeSimone blasted a shot into the right corner only to be saved by the diving Cleveland.

Both Cleveland and Siena goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny finished the afternoon with five saves apiece.

In the 80th minute, Saints forward Robert DiFilippo missed another scoring opportunity. DiFilippo gained advantage of a corner kick with Cleveland out of the net and sent a header on goal only to be blocked by the Stags defense.

The Saints look to rebound on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Iona to Loudonville for the final home contest of the 2007 campaign. Prior to the game, Siena will honor its seven graduating seniors in a pregame Senior Day ceremony. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.