'KEENE, NH 9/21/02 - Freshman forward Chris Barker (Pembroke, N.H.) had two goals to lead Keene State College to a 5-1 victory over MA College of Liberal Arts in a non-conference men's soccer game played in Keene on Saturday.

Keene State improves to 5-3. It was the first loss of the season for MCLA (3-1-2).

KSC jumped out to a 2-0 half-time lead.  Barker gave the Owls a quick 1-0 lead when he finished off a cross pass from Casey Banks (Westborough, MA.) four minutes into the game. Joey Amaio (Wethersfield, MA.), who had just entered the game, extended the lead to 2-0 when he fired in a loose ball in the crease.  Jim Hogan (Plymouth, N.H.) had an assists on the play. It was the first goal of the year for Amaio.

Jason Lombardo's (Woburn, MA.) team-leading sixth goal of the season made it a 3-0 game.  After a Mohawk goal by Owen Broch (Williamstown, MA.), Hogan gave KSC its three-goal advantage back when he headed in a shot from John Harke (Northampton, MA.). Barker completed the scoring with his second of the game and third of the season.

D.J. Nordmark (South Windsor, CT) (one save) and Matt Caron (Hebron, CT) 90 saves) saw action in goal for KSC.  Peter Ruckdeschel (Monroe, N.J.) stopped 10 shots and Mike Giovine (Lee, MA.) (one save) played in goal for MCLA.

Keene State is at Westfield State (7 p.m.) on Tuesday.