'MIDDLEBURY, VT. 9/25/02 - Katie Parkinson's (South Kingstown, R.I.) goal off a corner kick early in the second half was the game-winner in Keene State College's 4-3 victory over Middlebury College in Vermont on Wednesday.

The Owls game-winner at 51:39 was the only goal scored in the second half.  Colleen Antonini (Plymouth, MA.) passed the corner kick to Erin Lester (Walpole, N.H.), who was waiting at the 18.  Lester served the ball up to Parkinson who scored on a header.  It was her second goal of the season.

The two teams traded goals in the first half. Carolyn Crawford had given KSC a 1-0 lead with a goal just 2:08 into the game. Following a Panther goal by Amanda Gaymen, Aleisha Nelly (Guilford, CT) scored on transition to put the Owls back on top 2-1.  Middlebury tied the game and went ahead 3-2 on a penalty kick by Leah Cumsky-Whitlock. 

Keene State tied the game 3-3 when Jennifer Ortisi (Allenstown, N.H.) took a touch pass from Nelly and beat Panther goalie Els Van Worert for her first goal of the season with just under two minutes to play.  That set the stage for the eventual game-winner from Parkinson early in the second half.

"It was a great team win and a great road victory," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  KSC improves to 5-1-1 on the season while Middlebury (2-1-1) suffered its first loss of the year.

Michelle mason had six saves for KSC. Van Woert stopped four shots for Middlebury.

KSC now prepares for a LEC showdown match against Western CT on Saturday (1 p.m.).  WCSU have won three consecutive conference championships.