Siena Men's Soccer Loses to Fairfield in MAAC Semifinals 4-0
    Siena's Surprising Season Ends in MAAC Semis
    Ross Cardinell
     
    Ross Cardinell
      

    Nov. 14, 2008

    Final Stats

    POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Fairfield defeated Siena 4-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals at Tenney Stadium Friday evening. Siena played down a man for the final 73 minutes of the game following Zach Gosse's red card. The Saints controlled play until the booking and continued to do so during periods of the game. But Fairfield's Christian and Matthew Uy combined for seven points and Jack Burridge scored the game winning goal in the 35th minute. Fairfield defeated Siena 3-0 in the regular season finale just five days ago.

    The game changed completely in the 17th minute when senior Zach Gosse was ejected. Gosse went into a 50-50 ball and collided with a player; moments later he slide tackled Matthew Uy and earned a red card. The Saints would play a man down for the rest of the game.

    Fairfield had a promising chance in the 26th minute when Erik Ilisije was in a foot race with Brian Woodfield for a long ball played into the penalty box. At the last second, Woodfield slid and knocked the ball away.

    The Stags broke through in the 35th minute on a goal from Jack Burridge. On a loose ball, Christian Uy popped the ball over the defense from 30 yards out and Burridge headed it past a charging Steve Skonieczny.

    The Saints started the second half playing inspired soccer, controlling possession and earning a free kick and corner kick in the first three minutes. But they couldn't finish their scoring chances. Fairfield extended their lead in the 62nd minute. Matthew Uy played a ball through the middle of the defense and Christian Uy touched it past Skonieczny for the 2-0 lead.

    Senior outside back Ross Cardinell sparked some offensive chances for the Saints in the second half. He jumped into the attack a number of times and put two shots on goal, a team high for the game.


     

     

    In the 64th minute, Fairfield pressured again with two shots after a corner kick landed in the Saints' box. The second shot was labeled for the right post but Woodfield cleared it off the line.

    Fairfield sealed the game in the 79th minute with Matthew Uy's second goal of the game. Christian Uy drew a ball back from the end line to the penalty spot where Matthew Uy finished it in the back of the net.

    Siena's season ends with a 9-8 overall record, the program's best since 1998. Fairfield moves on to play top-seeded Loyola in the MAAC Championship at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
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