'KEENE, N.H. 9/28/02 - The Keene State College women's soccer team upset Western Connecticut State University 2-0 in a battle of top regional teams Saturday in Keene. It was the Little East Conference opener for both teams.

Ranked fifth in the region, KSC improves to 6-1-1 (1-0 LEC). Western CT ranked 13th nationally and second in the region goes to 6-2 (0-1 LEC).

The Owls took a 1-0 lead just 2:52 into the game when Jennifer Ortisi (Allenstown, N.H.) headed in a served ball from Carolyn Crawford (Abington, MA.). KSC goalie Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.) kept WCSU off the board in the first half with consecutive saves on Cherie Bailey (Middletown, CT), the first on a partial breakaway.

Erin Lester gave KSC a 2-0 advantage just over two minutes in the second half when she deflected in Amy Lamson's (Bridgewater, MA) pass.

Mason finished with six saves to notch her third shutout for the Owls while Kristen Bartholomew (Bethel, Conn) had 10 saves for WCSU. The Colonels, the defending LEC champs, defeated KSC in last year's title game.

Keene State hosts Bridgewater State on Tuesday (4 p.m.).