'KEENE, N.H. 10/18/03 - The Keene State College women's soccer team took a major step in securing first place in the Little East and the home field advantage in the upcoming Conference Tournament with a pulsating 1-0 victory over Eastern Conn. State University before a Parent/family weekend crowd at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

Freshman Katie Steven's (Londonderry, N.H.) goal just 58 seconds into the game stood up as the game winner in a battle of two of the conference's top teams. Stevens, coming up from the left side of the field, finished off a crossing ball from Jennifer Ortisi (Allenstown, N.H.) to score the only goal of the game.

Undefeated in its last eight games, Keene State, which has allowed just one LEC goal all season, improves to 11-3-2 (4-0-1 LEC). Eastern Conn. falls to 7-5-1 (3-1-1 LEC).

Eastern Conn. had many opportunities to tie the game.

Minutes following the goal, ECSU had a chance to tie the score, but Meghann Booth's (Windsor Locks, Conn.) breakaway drive went just wide of the right post.

The Warriors had numerous strong scoring opportunities within a five-minute span in the second half.  Jen Ferrari (Coventry, R.I.) missed on a drive and Megan Taylor (Manchester, Coon.) had a pair chances on direct kicks, the second from close range that hit off the post.  Seconds later Nicole Swantee (Thompson, Conn.) was denied by KSC goalie Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.), who jumped and punched the ball over the crossbar. 

ECSU's final opportunity to tie the game came on a penalty kick by Taylor with 58 seconds to play.  Taylor's shot hit off the cross bar and Mason grabbed the rebound. 

Mason, who was outstaying in net finished with seven saves to post her seventh shutout of the season.  Stacey Schofield (Woodstock, Conn.) also made seven stops for ECSU.

KSC will be at Tufts University on Tuesday (3 p.m.).