BUFFALO, N.Y. - Siena (4-4-1) extended their winning streak to two matches with a commanding 4-0 victory over Canisius (3-5-1) on Wednesday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The Saints controlled play throughout both halves to secure their fourth win of the season.
The match saw multiple scoring opportunities from both sides, with Noah Baumslag testing the Siena defense early with a shot in the 8th minute that went wide left. Eric Svensson responded for Siena in the 11th minute with a low center attempt, setting the tone for what would become a dominant Saints performance.
The first half featured aggressive play from both sides, with Siena's Mark Cajamarca and Rayan Berbachi each recording early fouls in the 5th and 6th minutes respectively. The Saints' attack generated quality chances, including shots from Lucas Almeida and Eric Svensson around the 10th minute mark. Campbell Stalker and Karl Tchounjin also contributed to Siena's offensive pressure with attempts before the break.
In the second half, Siena maintained their attacking momentum. Martin Piedeleu created danger in the 51st minute with a low left shot attempt. The Saints made strategic substitutions throughout the period, with Rayan Berbachi making way in the 75th minute as the team looked to preserve their advantage. Canisius fought to get back into the match, with Griffen Dehm and Kerby Henao both recording shots in the final 15 minutes, but couldn't find the breakthrough.
The final statistics reflected Siena's control of the match. Both teams recorded 12 shot attempts, but Siena put five on target compared to Canisius's two. The Golden Griffins held a slight 6-4 advantage in corner kicks, though they couldn't capitalize on these opportunities. The Saints' goalkeeper recorded two crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Several players stood out individually for both sides. Noah Baumslag was particularly active for Canisius, recording multiple shot attempts including a dangerous effort in the 35th minute. For Siena, Martin Piedeleu and Lucas Almeida consistently threatened the Canisius defense, while Campbell Stalker provided a strong presence in midfield before being substituted in the 81st minute.
Tactically, Siena's approach proved superior, with their organized defensive structure frustrating Canisius's attack while allowing them to launch effective counterattacks. The Saints' ability to control possession and create quality chances while limiting Canisius's opportunities demonstrated their tactical discipline throughout the match.
This victory continues Siena's positive momentum following their recent 1-0 win over Fairfield, improving their conference record to 3-0. For Canisius, the loss marks their second straight defeat after falling to Iona in their previous match, highlighting their need to regroup defensively after conceding multiple goals in consecutive games.
Both teams will look to build on this performance in their upcoming matches. Siena returns home to face Rider on October 4th, while Canisius will travel to Saint Peter's on the same day, both seeking to improve their positions in the conference standings.
The match officials maintained control throughout the contest, with multiple fouls called early to establish their authority. The disciplined nature of play was evident with no yellow cards issued to either team, allowing the focus to remain on the tactical battle between two competitive sides.