FAIRFIELD, Connecticut — #2 Siena pulled off a stunning upset over top-seeded #1 Sacred Heart, winning 2-1 on Sunday in the MAAC Championship match before 850 spectators. The Saints, riding a four-game winning streak, broke through against the heavily favored Pioneers in a defensive battle that remained scoreless through 45 minutes before erupting in the second half.
Siena's breakthrough came in the 50th minute when Lucas Almeida capitalized on a setup from Martin Piedeleu to give the visitors their first lead. The goal proved crucial as the Saints' defense, led by goalkeeper Christian Amaral, held firm despite Sacred Heart's relentless pressure. Piedeleu doubled Siena's advantage in the 77th minute, extending the lead to 2-0 and appearing to seal the upset.
Sacred Heart mounted a late rally when Brady Poor scored in the 78th minute, assisted by David Garcia Gallego, cutting the deficit to one. The Pioneers pressed aggressively in the final minutes, but Siena's backline withstood the onslaught. Despite Sacred Heart's 11 shots on goal compared to Siena's four, the Saints' goalkeeper made 10 saves to preserve the victory.
The match showcased contrasting approaches, with Sacred Heart dominating possession and territory while Siena executed a disciplined, counterattacking strategy. The Pioneers generated seven corner kicks to Siena's zero, reflecting their territorial advantage throughout the contest. However, Siena's efficiency in transition proved decisive when opportunities arose.
Tomislav Vrdoljak received a yellow card for Siena in the 67th minute, while Sacred Heart's Axier Zeberio Guereno was cautioned in the 68th minute as both teams grew increasingly physical late in the match. The disciplined play from both squads limited the number of fouls despite the high stakes of championship soccer.
Siena's victory extended their winning streak to four consecutive matches, improving their overall record to 9-5-4. The Saints' defensive resilience proved the difference against a Sacred Heart team that entered the match undefeated in conference play. Sacred Heart, now 9-4-5, saw their championship hopes derailed despite outshooting their opponent significantly.
The upset demonstrated that tournament soccer rewards tactical execution and composure under pressure as much as possession statistics. Siena's ability to absorb Sacred Heart's attacking waves while remaining dangerous on the break proved the decisive factor in this MAAC Championship encounter.