Panthers finish season with loss to rival Owls

            KEENE, N.H. – The third-seeded Keene State College women's soccer team set a Little East Conference Tournament record for most goals in a game Tuesday evening with a 7-0 quarterfinal victory over sixth seed and rival Plymouth State University at Owl Athletic Complex.

            Keene State broke the previous mark of six goals set by Plymouth State in its 6-1 semifinal victory over Rhode Island College in the 2001 tournament.  KSC (14-5-2) advances to the semifinals where they will play #2 seed Western Conn. in Danbury, Conn. on Thursday (6 p.m.). PSU concludes its season with a 7-11 record.

            The Owls, who got goals from seven different players, scored early and often in the game.  KSC found the back of the net in two of its first three shots on goal.  Senior Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) scored on a long drive from 40-yards out with her team-leading 17th goal of the season. Senior Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) made its 2-0 three minutes later on a shot from the left side that curled into the corner of the net, and sophomore Brittany Croteau (Swanzey, N.H.) completed the first-half scoring with her first of the season, converting a crossing ball from Bradford.

            Freshmen Brittany Boscarino (Ellington, Conn.) and Kelsie Bailey (Barre, Vt.), sophomore Elise Bolster (Narragansett, R.I.) and freshman Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) netted second half goals for the Owls.

            The Owls, who dominated play, outshot the Panthers 23-4 and had a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. Junior Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) made one save to pick up her ninth shutout of the season and 18th of her career.

            The Owls and rival Panthers have hooked up six times in the tournament, with the Owls winning all six meetings. 

(Courtesy of Keene State Sports Information) 

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