SIENA DEFEATS UALBANY 3-1; JOHNSON SCORES FOR GREAT DANES

Loudonville, N.Y. – Anthony Tagliaferri recorded a goal and an assist, including the game-winning goal in the 49th minute to break a 1-1 tie as UAlbany lost to crosstown-rival Siena 3-1 in men’s soccer action Wednesday.

Jason Laffin tallied the first goal of the game in the 16th minute as he broke free past the midfield and placed a shot into the right corner off an assist by Tagliaferri.

UAlbany responded by knotting the score at one at the 32:29 mark. Junior midfielder Don Johnson headed in a loose ball in front of the cage for his first goal of the season. The teams played a scoreless final 12 and a half minutes to go into the intermission tied at one.

Tagliaferri broke free on the right side just under four minutes into the second half and placed the ball in the near corner of the goal to give Siena the 2-1 lead.

Geoff Narode added an insurance goal for the Saints in the 72nd minute after he got by the Great Dane defense and sent a shot into the left corner. Laffin was credited with an assist on the goal.

Siena, ranked ninth in the latest NSCAA/adidas North Atlantic Regional rankings, held a slight advantage in shots, 10-8, but the Great Danes registered a 4-2 edge in the second half. Junior captain Erik DiLorenzo and sophomore Brian Gordon led UAlbany in shots with two apiece. The Saints also held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Junior goalkeeper Steward Ceus stopped three shots, all in the first half, in goal for UAlbany. Steve Skonieczny registered two saves for Siena (3-2-1).

UAlbany (1-6-1) returns to action after a ten day lay-off on Sept. 29 at home against Marist at 1 p.m.