KEENE, N.H. 11/8/03 - Named the tournament's outstanding player,  Brad Fidler's (Morgantown, Pa.) goal at the 5:56 mark of the first overtime lifted Western Conn. State University to a 1-0 victory over Keene State College in the Men's Little East Conference Tournament Championship game held Saturday in Keene.

Taking control of a loose clearing ball in the far right corner of the box, Fidler fired a shot into the top far corner for the game-winner.

With the victory, the fourth seeded Western Conn. Colonials (13-5-4) capture their first LEC title and the conference's automatic NCAA bid.

The defending LEC champs and second seeded Keene State Owls (14-6-1) saw its seven game winning streak come to an end.  The Owls, who won the championship over WCSU 1-0 last season, were making their fourth appearance in the title game. They also won the championship in 1999 and 2001.

Western Conn. had the best opportunity in a scoreless first half.  Daniel Ribeiro (Ridgefield, Conn.) was set in front and his shot just went over the crossbar.

Ribeiro also had a point blank shot early in the second half that was grabbed by KSC goalie Brandon Beck (Johnstown, N.Y.).

KSC had a chance to get on the board at the 21:34 mark of the second half when on direct kick, Justin Hickman's (Mont Vernon, N.H.) header clanged off the near post.  With 13:36 to play, Fidler's drive was tipped over the cross bar by Beck.

Beck had four saves for KSC, which now awaits an ECAC Tournament berth.  WCSU's Pataky stopped two shots for the shutout.