FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) competition with an 11-8 road loss at Siena on Saturday afternoon. Sal Miccio had two goals and one assist to lead the Pioneers, as the team had seven different goal scorers.   

Records:
Sacred Heart: 0-6 (0-1 MAAC)
Siena: 3-2 (1-0 MAAC)

Top Performances:
Sal Miccio: 2 goals, 1 assist
Tucker Spencer: 1 goal, 1 assist
Jake Ward: 1 goal, 1 assist

Goalkeepers:
Alex Pazienza:  16 saves

Of Note:
Sacred Heart had a strong second quarter after trailing 3-1 in the first. Jack Dillon and John Murray scored back-to-back goals to open the second quarter and tie the game 3-3. The Saints answered with one at 6:22 in the second, but Tucker Spencer found the back of the net for SHU to tie the game once more, at 4-4. Siena put one more away to take a 5-4 lead at halftime.

Siena scored first in the third quarter, but Sacred Heart answered with three consecutive goals, including two from Sal Miccio and one from Jake Ward, to give the Pioneers a 7-6 lead. Rocco Babero tied the game for Siena with a goal at 2:47 in the third, heading into the final quarter with a 7-7 tie.

Siena outscored Sacred Heart, 4-1 in the final quarter to take the 11-8 final.

The Pioneers' junior goalkeeper Alex Pazienza made 16 saves in the loss.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will be back in action on the road next Saturday, March 18th, at Manhattan College at 12 pm.