'SPRINGFIELD, MA.  9/4/02 - Senior forward Suzanne Heinkel (Westfield, N.J.) scored the game winner following a corner kick 2:05 into overtime to lead visiting Keene State College to a 1-0 victory over Western New England College in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday.  Junior Erin Lester (Walpole, N.H.) made the corner kick that senior forward Colleen Antonini (Plymouth, MA.) passed to Heinkel for the winning score.

Keene State dominated play in the first half and WNEC the second half in the well played match.

"We had a chance to take control in the first half, but we couldn't put the ball in the net." Said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "It was our first games and players were making adjustments."

Sophomore goalie Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA.) kept the Golden bears in the game with 10, saves, including three spectacular stops in the opening 45 minutes.

Both teams missed scoring opportunities in the second half.  KSC junior Jennifer Ortisi (Allentown, N.H.) had a shot knocked away just left of the net by WNEC defender Amy Camerota (Westfield, MA.) in the 61st minute.

Keene State goalie Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.) made a great save on a shot by Molly Burke (Westfield, MA.) in the 69th minute.  KSC's Katie Parkinson (South Kingstown, R.I.) fired a shot left of the net with 11 minutes to play.

Mason finished with five saves to notch her first shutout of the season and 14th shutout of her career.

Keene State travels to the Rowan University Tournament this weekend.  They face Haverford College in an opening round game on Saturday (7 p.m.). Consolation and Championship games will be played on Sunday.