NORTON, MA. 9/8/01 - Matt Mancini's (Westford, MA.) goal with 12 minutes to play broke a 2-2 tie and lifted 11th ranked Wheaton College to a 3-2 men's soccer victory over Keene State College, Saturday in Norton, MA.

The loss gives KSC a 2-2 record. Wheaton College (3-0) remains undefeated.

Jason Lombardo, a freshman from Woburn, MA., had two goals for the Owls. Lombardo gave KSC a 1-0 at the 34:30 mark when he was sent in by freshman Luke Trill (Northfield, MA.). Wheaton tied the game with five minute to play in the first half when KSC couldn't clear a corner kick and Hans Ingram scored to make 1-1. After Jason Colley gave the Lyons a 2-1 lead at the 58 minute mark, Lombardo tied the game with his second goal of the game and fourth of the season four minutes later. His bullet shot from 12-yards out went off a Wheaton defender's shoulder into the net.

Keene State was pressing for the go ahead goal, but an errant pass came to Mancini who beat two Owl defenders for the game-winner. The Owls knocked on the door the last 10 minutes of the game but could not get the equalizer. 'It was a hard fought game that we let slip away,' said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.

D.J. Nordmark (So. Windsor, CT) had four saves for KSC. Craig Evans (Avon, CT) also had four saves for Wheaton. KSC has yet to beat Wheaton in four meetings.

The Owls will be on the road on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Salem State College.