Siena Defeats Manhattan 5-2 In MAAC Championship

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West Long Branch, NJ - No. 6 Siena extended its winning streak to six straight after defeating No. 2 Manhattan 5-2 in the 2015 MAAC Women's Soccer Championship final at Hesse Field on the campus of Monmouth.


Despite the defeat, the Jaspers concluded arguably the finest season in school history with an overall record of 11-5-3 while reaching the Championship Game of the 2015 MAAC Tournament for the first time in the 25-year history of the program.

Just 42 seconds into action, Allison Clark found the back of the net on a header off a cross from Tara Sobierajski. Moments later at the seventh minute mark, Meghan Riccardi gave Kristen Connors a pass across the box, setting up the second goal of the day for the Saints. Siena would strike again on the one timer at the 20th minute from Madison Vasquez on a square pass to the top of the box from Riccardi, extending the advantage to 3-0.

Manhattan would get on the board in the 29th minute on a one-on-one with the goalie score from junior Erica Modena (Massapequa, NY / Massapequa) off a pass from classmate Lauren Barton (Charlton, MA / Shepherd Hill), cutting the score to 3-1.

In the second half,  the Saints struck again at the 48th minute, on a one timer by Kensey Waterman off an assist from Clark, extending the lead to, 4-1. Siena would add on one more goal from Connors in the 73rd minute on a header in pushing the lead to 5-1.

Down but not out, the Jaspers answered with an Emily Center (So., Altamont, NY / Guilderland) goal in the 76th minute off a senior Colleen Kavanagh (Rockville Centre, NY / Sacred Heart Academy) pass to trim the deficit to 5-2.

Manhattan would have three more shot opportunities but was unable to further convert as the Saints would go on to capture their second-ever MAAC Title.

MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Kristen Skonieczny (LaGrangeville, NY / Arlington) made three saves in defeat and finished her record-breaking season with a 10-4-3 record.

Skonieczny, Modena and senior Taylor Salkowsky (Massapequa Park, NY / St. Anthony's) were all selected to the MAAC All-Tournament Team for their efforts.

By virtue of the win, Siena (12-6-3) will receive the leagues automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. 

2015 MAAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM