KEENE, N.H. 10/24/00 —Kelly Smith (Lisbon, N.H.) and Carrie Trudeau (Saco, Me.), the Conference's top two scorers, each netted goals to lead second seed Keene State College to a 2-0 victory over seventh seed Fitchburg State College in a Little East Conference Quarterfinal field hockey game played Tuesday at Owl Stadium Complex.

Keene State (15-4) will now advance to the semifinals of the Tournament at Plymouth State and face Southern Maine on Friday. Southern Maine moved on by defeating UMass-Dartmouth 1-0 in penalty strokes in their quarterfinal match-up.

Fitchburg State goes to 10-8 on the season.

Controlling play throughout the game, Keene State got on the board late in the first half when Smith scored off a penalty corner play. Diving at the side of the net with her stick extended, Smith deflected in a crossing pass from Kathleen Marucci. It was Smith's 14th goal of the season.

Carrie Trudeau extended the Owls' lead to 2-0 in the second half when she knocked in a feed in front from Melissa Harnch-Smith (Newburyport, Mass.) for her team-leading 15th goal of the season.

"We knew we were suppose to win and sometimes it's difficult to match the intensity of the underdog team," said KSC Coach Amy Watson. "But we got off to a good start and took care of businesses."

KSC goalie Lindsay Hamilton (Brattleboro, Vt.) did not face a shot in notching her sixth shutout of the season. Angela Buffington (Carver, Mass.) made six saves for the Falcons.

Keene State also had a 12-0 advantage in penalty corners.

The Owls, who defeated Southern Maine 3-2 earlier this season, captured both 1998 and 1999 LEC titles.