Links
2008 Review
Siena started last season with its first new head coach in 25
years. The change seemed to serve the team well, as it won
nine games and cruised to a second-place finish in the
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Siena managed a 1-0 win over NJIT in its season opener,
even though they were outshot 21-12. Junior forward Bobby
Di Filippo came off the bench to score, a familiar sight
throughout the year, in the 80th minute. It was Siena’s first
season-opener win since 2005 and Gareth Elliott’s first as a
head coach.
The Saints struggled for offense through the rest of their
non-conference schedule, scoring just three goals in seven
games and went 1-5-1 in that time. In the final game before
MAAC play, Elliott and assistant coaches Ahmad Manning
and Aidan Byrne returned to Rhode Island and defeated
their alma mater 2-1 in double overtime. Senior forward
Mike DeSimone tallied the golden goal in the 105th minute
while sophomore goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny made 10
saves in the win.
“I think the URI game was the turning point last season,”
Elliott said. “That was a huge win and it really got things
going for us.”
After an up-and-down non-conference schedule left Siena
2-5-1, the Saints feasted on league opponents, winning
seven MAAC games. It was the most since joining the
league in 1989.
Siena won its first three MAAC games after defeating URI.
The Saints beat Saint Peter’s (3-1) and Manhattan (2-1) at
home and Rider (2-0) on the road. Sophomore captain
Sebastien Anzevui scored two goals against Saint Peter’s
including the game-winner, a free kick just one minute into
the second half. After Manhattan took a 1-0 lead in the
34th minute, Siena battled back with goals by Di Filippo and
DeSimone for the come-from-behind victory. It was the first
of four times they would come back and win after being
down to a MAAC team.
Siena’s first league loss would come at the hands of
undefeated and eighth-ranked Loyola (Md.) on October 19.
The Greyhounds scored three minutes in and built a 3-0 lead
before DeSimone ended the shutout bid with a successful
penalty kick in the 77th minute.
The Saints bounced back with four straight wins: Niagara
(2-1), Canisius (2-0) and Marist (6-1) at home and Iona (3-2)
in overtime on the road. Three of those four wins were in
come-from-behind fashion. Niagara took a 1-0 lead in the
53rd minute on a PK, but Di Filippo scored two goals (75’
Steve Covino
page 35 of 72
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72