'KEENE, N.H. 10/1/02 - The Keene State College women's soccer team celebrated its entry into the national rankings (19th) with a 2-0 non-conference victory over Bridgewater State College in Keene on Tuesday.

KSC, also ranked third in New England, won its third straight to improve to 7-1-1. Bridgewater State falls to 4-3.

The Owls scored both of their goals in the first half.  Erin Lester 's (Walpole, N.H.) team-leading sixth goal of the season put KSC up 1-0.  Late in the half, the Owls extended their advantage to 2-0 on Stacy's Nichols (Alstead, N.H.) first collegiate goal, a header, following a feed by Colleen Antonini (Plymouth, MA.).

Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.) finished with three saves to record her second consecutive, and fourth shutout of the season. Maura Cacciatore (Waltham, MA) stopped nine shots for the Bears.

Keene State will host Southern ME in a homecoming game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.