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2010 Outlook
The Saints begin 2010 as the team to beat in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and as a program pushing their way onto the national scene. Siena matched a program record with 12 wins a year ago and went undefeated (8-0) in league play. Most importantly, it marked Siena’s first league champion- ship since the program joined the MAAC in 1996.
“We have 11 seniors this year and all of them have played meaningful minutes,” said Head Coach Brian Brecht. “I think this class can do what last year’s 16 seniors did; go out on top with a MAAC championship.”
One of Siena’s biggest strengths is the man between the pipes. All-American goalie Brent Herbst has the talent to elevate the Saints to a level the program has never seen before.
“Brent is one of the best goalies in the country,” Brecht said. “He’s special. He’s a difference maker.”
Herbst has been the difference in many games during his career. From leading the Saints to their first MAAC regular- season championship as a freshman to the 5-4 upset at No. 17 Loyola as a sophomore, to an NCAA Tournament game at defending NCAA Champion Syracuse as a junior, Herbst has excelled at Siena. He is just the second Siena player to earn All-America honors (Tony Asterino, 1981).
Siena returns five starters and all three attackmen from last season. But the MAAC’s undefeated champion will need to fill some holes left by the graduation of cornerstones like Kenny Mazzone, MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Chris Viviano, Dan Mulhall and faceoff specialist Scott Montgomery.
Attack
One of the more talented and deeper units on Siena’s team is the attack. The Saints return all three starters from last year in
sophomore Bryan Neufeld and seniors Jordan Loftus and
Ryan Duggan. They combined for 43% of the team’s goals. Neufeld and Loftus, both entering their second year in the program, will look to improve on their stunning debut seasons. Neufeld won MAAC Rookie of the Year, the third Siena player to do so in the last four years. Loftus lit up the league as he transitioned to a new squad, scoring 35 points on 21 goals and 14 assists in the last 10 games.
Duggan has been a consistent scorer from day one in the program. He’s recorded 30+ points each season. He tallied 31 points and earned All-MAAC Second Team honors last year.
Sophomore Chris Roth played in all 18 games as a freshman. He scored eight goals and added 10 assists.
Freshman Danny Martinsen adds immediate depth to an already strong position. He played four years of varsity lacrosse at Smithtown High School.
Bryan Reneissen red-shirted last season after playing two years at Nassau Community College. He was named Team MVP his sophomore year at Nassau CC.
Midfield
Senior Shaun Dunn returns as the only top line midfielder from a year ago. He has great stick stills and a balanced offensive game. He can go by defenders as well as catch and shoot.
“If Shaun Dunn plays to his potential, he’s a Player of the Year type guy,” Brecht said.
Dunn scored 20 goals and had four assists last year. He scored a hat-trick in the MAAC Championship win over Manhattan.
Senior Matt Leithead, a co-captain, is a seasoned veteran who has played in 50 games during his Siena career. He was a second line midfielder last year and will have to help fill the void left by Mazzone and Chris Zarins.
Junior transfer Dan Lawson should make an immediate impact for the Saints. He played two years at Herkimer Community College. Lawson tallied 54 points in 13 games last season and helped upset No. 2 Hudson Valley CC on the way to a Region III Championship appearance.
John Rogener is an athletic player who always goes at full tilt. He played on the second linemidfield last year and totaled eight points on four goals and four assists. In theMAAC Championship game, Rogener showed a perfect example of his game when he received a pass and ripped a shot past the goalie just before taking a big hit.
Sophomore Chris D’Alberti started three of 18 games last season. He’s a strong player with a high ceiling. His best
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Jordan Loftus
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