Siena's Tommy Cordts was named most outstanding player.
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- For the third time in six seasons Siena are Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions. MAAC tournament most outstanding player Tommy Cordts made 13 saves and Jordan Barlow and Colin Clive netted hat tricks as the top-seeded Saints led from start to finish in a convincing 11-7 win against No. 2 seed and tournament host Marist on Saturday at Tenney Stadium.
Siena (11-5) earns the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
"I'm just so proud of these guys, they worked so hard all year," Siena head coach John Svec said. "I think these guys are just so excited to be able to practice on Monday."
The Saints scored the first two goals and built a commanding 6-1 advantage at the break.
Quarterbacked by Cordts, Siena's defensive unit had its best performance in the most important game of the year. The Saints held the MAAC's top scoring team in Marist (6-9) more than four goals under its season average, and forced the conference's leader in fewest turnovers into 20 miscues.
The Red Foxes struck twice to open the second half, halving Siena's lead to 6-3 midway through the third quarter. But after suffering excruciating second-half setbacks in the past two MAAC title games, the Saints would not let this one get away.
MAAC all-tournament team selection Kyle Curry led the Saints with five points including a career-high four assists. His lone goal ended the mini Marist run and the Saints led by at least three goals the rest of the way.
Barlow scored the game-winning goal and finished with four points. He joined Clive, Cordts, Barlow and Curry on the all-tournament team. MAAC offensive player of the year Richie Hurley contributed two goals and an assist for Siena, which has won 10 of the past 11 meetings against their I-87 rivals, including six of seven in Poughkeepsie.
The Saints also posted their NCAA-leading seventh true road win.
Colin Joka led Marist with a hat trick while Dave Scarcello made 15 saves in goal for the Red Foxes. Siena shut down Marist's top scorers J.D. Recor and Joseph Radin, limiting them to just a combined two points.
"You've tasted it, and then you had two years of disappointment," Clive said. "So you know how good it can feel. It's just an incredible feeling."
Gannon Osborn joined teammate Scarcello on the all-tournament team. Also named to the all-tournament team were Tim Edwards and Nick Tuttle of Canisius, and Shayne Adams and Alex Maini of Detroit.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Athletics contributed to this report.
