WINCHENDON, MA. (April 11, 2002) - Keene State College jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the opening ten minutes of play and held off Franklin Pierce College down the stretch to post a 10-6 victory in non-conference women's lacrosse action at the Winchendon School this afternoon.

Keene State freshman Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) netted two of her three goals of the match in the first eight minutes of play to help spark the Owls fast start.

Sophomore Erin Mehner (Stamford, CT/Stamford) led KSC with four goals, while senior Erin Boudreau (Framingham, MA./Framingham) and sophomores Natalie Kent (Billerica, MA./Billerica) and Liz Maddocks (Essex, Vt./Essex) each chipped in goals.

Sophomore goalkeeper Colleen McSweeney (East Longmeadow, MA./East Longmeadow) preserved the win with seven saves.

Seniors Elizabeth Rich (Worcester, MA./St. Peter Marian) and Irene Smith (Kingston, N.Y./Onteora) each netted two goals to lead Franklin Pierce.

FPC (2-5, 2-4 NE-10) returns to action on Sunday when it travels to Smithfield, R.I., to face Bryant College at 1 p.m. Keene State (5-3, 1-0 Little East) travels to Rhode Island College on Saturday at 1 p.m.