2019 Men’s College Lacrosse Year In Review: #49 Siena Saints

With the 2019 college lacrosse season complete, it’s time to look back at how all 73 teams did during the season, along with an early look at each squad for 2020.

Note: These are not end of season rankings.

Here’s our last five Year In Review posts we’ve done:

• #54 UMass Lowell
• #53 Hofstra
• #52 Harvard
• #51 Manhattan
• #50 Marquette

To see all of our posts, check out the 2019 Year In Review section on the site.

Let’s continue our 2019 Year In Review!

#49 Siena Saints

Conference: MAAC
2019 Record: 6-7 (3-4 in MAAC)
Head coach: Liam Gleason (1st Season)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: Keenan Cook (33)
Assists: Keenan Cook (20)
Points: Keenan Cook (53)
Faceoffs: Jason Zou (146-of-298; 49%)
Ground balls: Jason Zou (68)
Caused turnovers: Jack Drillock (30)
Goals against average: Aaron Lewis (13.20 GAA)
Save percentage: Aaron Lewis (41.4%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: A Keenan Cook (33 Gs, 20 As, 17 GBs, 3 CTs), A Mike Reilly (29 Gs, 17 As, 33 GBs, 4 CTs), M Eric Munn (11 Gs, 12 As, 30 GBs, 7 CTs), G Aaron Lewis (13.20 GAA, 41.4% SV %, 31 GBs, 7 CTs), D Nick Twohig (4 CTs, 14 GBs)
Senior scoring departing: 122 of 267 points (45.7%)
Senior starts lost: 64 of 130 (49.2%)

Season Summary

With new head coach Liam Gleason, Siena doubled their win total to six in 2019 and went 3-4 in MAAC conference play. Even though the Saints lost two of their first three games and gave up 20 goals in the defeats, the team bought into the new “culture change” and were 5-2 overall and tied for first in the conference.

They took a 3-0 record in MAAC play into Quinnipiac, last year’s defending regular season champions. The Saints took a 9-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but things went south in the final 15 minutes as the Bobcats scored seven of the game’s final eight goals to take a three-goal victory. The following weekend against Marist, Siena got to within one of the Red Foxes, but a 5-1 third quarter helped Marist prevail en route to a two-goal win.

Siena would lose three of their final four games to finish a game below .500 overall and in the MAAC. Their lone win was a high-scoring 20-18 triumph over NJIT.

Keenan Cook led the way on offense with 53 points, while Mike Reilly finished behind him with 46. They both reached the 100-point mark in their careers during their senior season. Sophomore Jack Kiernan was the third starting attackman and finished with 29 goals and 36 points. Junior Dylan Pantalone was the Saints’ top midfielder with 30 points, joined by senior Eric Munn and junior Brett Habich as starters.

Only one defenseman recorded double-digit caused turnovers. That was junior Jack Drillock with 30. Junior Tommy Pulzello and sophomore Braedon LaBar were next up with nine. Aaron Lewis was the team’s starter for most of the season and finished with a 13.20 goals against average and a 41.4% save percentage.

Looking Ahead

The biggest hole for Siena will be their offense. Cook, Reilly, and Munn were part of a senior class that departs 45.7% of the team’s scoring from a year ago. With Kiernan returning at attack, look for guys like Brandon Lantieri, Brandon Johnson, George Rusnak, and Nick Casner to fill those holes down below. Munn is the only midfielder departing, so Pantalone, Habich, Nick Pepe, and Seth Van Schepen will also be countered on to play more of a larger role.

Jack Twohig is the only starting close defenseman that departs for Siena, who have plenty of good players such as Drillock, Pulzello, LaBar, LSM Jake Marcus, and Colton Hart. Similar to how Albany was operated, Siena uses two-way midfielders like Munn and Habich. Tyler Menniti and Jack Buckley are other short stick midfielders that saw time last season.

Jason Zou had a good first season as the primary faceoff man going 49% on draws. He’ll look to reach over 50%. With Lewis gone in cage, Anthony Tebbano is the only goalie returning who appeared in game action last season. Don’t be surprised if Eric Cecere, Christopher Yanchoris, or Johnny Caponi push for the starting job in the fall.

Siena is off to a solid start in the Gleason era. They hope it can continue into Year 2 with an appearance in the MAAC Tournament.