'KEENE, NH 9/7/02 - Hobart (NY) College spoiled the 20th-ranked Keene State College men's soccer team's home opener with a 3-1 victory over the Owls in the day's second game.

KSC (1-1) suffered its first loss of the season, while Hobart, led by former PSC coach Shawn Griffin, goes to 1-1.

Hobart struck for two goals in the first half.  Following an indirect kick, Matt Vesonder (Boonton Twp, NJ) headed a shot into an open net after KSC goalie D.J. Nordmark (So. Windsor, CT) came out.   Ricky Klotz (Cortlandt, NY) made it a 2-0 game with a blast from 20-yards out in the closing minutes.

The Owls cut the margin to 2-1 at 1:08 into the second half on Casey Banks' (Westboroughh, MA.) first goal of the year. Taking a pass from Mike Moneiro (Hudson, MA), Banks slid the ball into the far corner past Statesmen goalie Cory Rosier (Liverpool, N.Y.).

KSC could muster just a few strong scoring chances the rest of the way. D.J.Nordmark made six saves for KSC. Rosier stopped 10 shots for the Statesmen. 

"We were just flat in the first half," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  In the second half we came out with some intensity, but they got the counter-attack goal. 

Sunday's pre-determined schedule has Hobart facing Wheaton at 12 p.m. and KSC going up against No. 6 Rowan at 2:30 p.m.