DANBURY, CT (10/28/01) - The Keene State College women's soccer team lost 3-0 to Western Connecticut State University in the Championship game of the Little East Conference Tournament in Danbury, CT, on Sunday.

It was the third straight year the two teams have met in the LEC title game and the third consecutive time the Owls have lost to the Colonials. WCSU, the top seed in the tournament, will receive the Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament while KSC (17-5), the third seed, will await a possible at-large bid to the NCAA or an ECAC Tournament invitation.

Western CT (19-2), which extended its winning streak to 10 games, took a 1-0 lead on its first shot, 10 minutes into the game. Out on the left wing, Heather Babington drove a shot from 28-yards out that settled into the far top corner of the net over the outstretched hand of Owl goalie Michelle Mason. It was the 16th goal of the season for the Tournament MVP.

Although KSC consistently kept the ball in the offensive zone in the first half, they were unable to muster a quality shot on net. Their best opportunities came on close range direct kicks by Sarah Nordle (Hooksett, NH) and Jessica Williams (Nashua, NH) that both sailed over the crossbar.

Mason prevented the Colonials from taking a two goal lead with six minutes to play in the half when she stopped a breakaway shot off the foot of Colonial top scorer Cherie Bailey.

The opportunistic Colonials scored two more goals in the second half. Bailey sent Stacey Rogenski in with a nice pass behind the Owl defense for a 2-0 lead and Erin Hurley completed the scoring when she headed in a corner kick with 12 minutes to play.

KSC best scoring chances came on a pair of direct kicks by Katie Parkinson. Kristen Bartholomew made a diving stop on her first shot and the second attempt went over the cross bar.

"They took advantage of their opportunities and we didn't take advantage of ours," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons. "It was a close game from end-to-end, but they capitalized when they had the opportunity and put the ball in the back of the net."

"We took a lot of shots, but they were low percentage shots," she added. "Instead of being patient, we panicked trying to get back into the game and took shots that we shouldn't have."

"I think the players are disappointed," Lyons said. We had a great season and played better as the season went on. But we graduate only three players, so we'll come back and make another run at them next year."

Lyons, a member of the NCAA Tournament Committee, believes the Owls' Tournament hopes are still alive. "We still have an outside shot at an at-large bid, if not, we'll definitely be in the ECACs and host a game on Wednesday.

We got to regroup right now and try to win some hardware for our seniors."