Panthers fall to Owls in battle of unbeatens

            KEENE, N.H. – In a battle between the two first-place field hockey teams in the Little East Conference, the Keene State College Owls dropped in-state rival Plymouth State University 3-0 Wednesday night at Owl Athletic Complex. KSC remains undefeated in league action at 4-0 and 7-2 overall, while the Panthers drop their first game of the season and fall to 7-1 and 3-1 in conference action.

            The Panthers had many more corner opportunities than KSC, with 13 to the Owls three. But Keene State converted on two of the three chances they had.

            KSC got the scoring started early, just three minutes and 49 seconds into the contest, as senior Alyce Ferenc  took a cross out of mid-air from senior Jacki Benson and buried it past the Panther netminder for the early 1-0 lead. The Owls added to their lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half as junior Kalin Billert took a rebound and buried it in traffic for the 2-0 advantage into halftime.

            KSC scored the final goal of the contest just shy of even minutes into the second half as senior Niki Smith rocketed a one-timer into the top right corner from classmate Aislynn Sherry for the 3-0 key conference victory.

            Freshman goalkeeper Caitlin Davino-Draper set aside five shots in goal for the Owls for the shutout victory, while Panther shot-stopper Hilary Lemelin made four saves.  KSC outshot PSU 11-9 on the contest.

            Both teams return to conference action this Saturday, as the Owls will host Western Conn. State at 1:30 at Owl Athletic Complex, while Plymouth will travel to Eastern Conn. State for a 1 p.m. start. 

(Courtesy of Keene State Sports Information) 

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