KSC teams move in and out of LEC Tournament
KEENE, N.H. 11/4/09 - Keene State teams got a split decision in quarterfinal Little East Conference tournament play on Tuesday while another Owl squad found out its semifinal round opponent.
The top seeded Keene State field hockey team (17-4) began its quest for a sixth straight tournament title with a 5-1 victory over the eighth-seeded Vikings from Salem State on Tuesday. The Owls, who extended their winning streak to seven games, were led by the forward tandem of sophomore Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) and senior Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass.). Sherry notched her first career shutout while Benning had two goals, giving her an LEC leading 25 for the season.
Keene State will host fourth seed Framingham State (15-3) in a semifinal-round game on Thursday (6 p.m.). The Rams, who set a program record for wins in a season, advanced with a 2-0 win over fifth seed Bridgewater State. Kali Barrett and Kristen Barrett each scored goals while FSC goalie Allesha Kenyon made seven saves on the way to posting the shutout.
It will be the first time the two teams have met in the tournament. The Rams have been a thorn in the side of the Owls during the regular season. After winning the first seven games against Framingham in LEC play, KSC has hit a Ram road block of late, dropping two out of its last three games, including a 3-0 setback earlier this season at Framingham.
The Owls hope a change in venue will bring a different result on Thursday. "I think it's going to be a different game. They're on out turf this time," said Benning.
"That wasn't Keene State field hockey the last time we played them," said Sherry. "They're going to see a different team."
Framingham is a good team," said KSC Coach Amy Watson. "I don't think we played them as well as we could last down there. Hopefully, we can play our style and have a different outcome."
The Keene State women's volleyball team won't have a chance to defend their Little East championship. The fourth seeded Owls (18-17) were upset by fifth seed Rhode Island College (3-2) in a first-round tournament game at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday.
Sophomore Bridget O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.) had a career-high 23 kills, one off the school mark held by her sister Brittany O'Bryant. Senior Jordan Pokryfki (Wasilla, AK) finished with 53 assists. If KSC doesn't receive an ECAC berth, she will complete her career with 4,598 sets - an Owl record.
Earning a first-round bye as the tournament's top seed, the Keene State women's soccer team found out they will be facing a familiar foe, Western Conn. State in their semifinal game at Owl Athletic Complex on Thursday (6 p.m.). The fourth-seeded Colonials defeated fifth seed Southern Maine 2-0 to advance in the tournament.
KSC and WCSU battled to a 1-1 double-overtime tie in a torrential rain storm in Danbury back on Oct. 24. "Hopefully the weather won't be a factor and we come out ready to play," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons. "Western is a tournament-tested team, so we can't have any mental lapses."
Thursday's game will be the eighth meeting between the Owls and the Colonials in the LEC tournament. The two teams met in the first three finals with Western winning in 1999 (1-0), 2000 (1-0, OT) and 2001 (3-0). KSC edged WCSU 3-2 to claim its first title in 2002. Keene State defeated Western Conn in semifinal action in 2003 (3-0) and 2005 (1-0, OT). The Colonials defeated the Owls 4-2 to win the 2006 crown.