'KEENE, N.H. 10/26/02 - The Keene State College women's soccer team clinched the Little East Conference regular-season championship with a 3-0 shutout victory over UMA-Dartmouth at Owl Stadium Complex on Saturday.

It was the sixth straight win for the Owls (15-2-1, 6-0) who capture their first outright LEC regular-season title. They tied for first place with Western CT in 1998 and 2000. KSC is now assured of home field in the upcoming LEC tournament.  "This was a big step for us," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "We wanted to bring the tournament back to Keene."

Erin Lester (Walpole, N.H.) and Jennifer Ortisi (Allenstown, N.H.) had a goal and assists each to lead the Owls' offense.  Lester, who was set up in front by Ortisi on a cross, put KSC up 1-0 with her team-leading 13th goal of the season.  After hitting the crossbar on three shots, KSC got its second goal in the final minute of the first half when Ortisi deflected a pass from Aleisha Nelly (Guilford, Conn) past UMD goalkeeper Amanda Tavares (Dartmouth, MA.).

Jenna Jezierski's (No. Grosvenordale, CT) first collegiate goal in the second half on a crossing ball from Lester, extended the Owls' lead to 3-0 in the second half.

Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.) made five saves to record her ninth shutout of the season.  The sophomore goalie stopped a penalty kick form Sarah Bourque (Rochester, MA.) and got help from teammate Missy Mangual (East Berlin, CT), who knocked a way an apparent Corsair goal in the crease with 12 minutes to play.

Tavares stopped 11 shots for UMD (6-5-2, 2-3-1 LEC) while Norah McNally, who played the final nine minutes, was credited with one save.

Keene State hosts Anna Maria College on Thursday (6 p.m.).