'KEENE, N.H. 11/8/03- Second seed Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team captured its first ever Little East Conference Tournament Championship by outscoring top seed Keene State College 5-3 in penalty kicks, Saturday at Owl Athletic Complex.

Tied after regulation and two overtime periods, the game between the two teams that tied for the regular-season title was decided on penalty kicks.  In the shootout, Jen Ferrari (Coventry, R.I.) put ECSU ahead 1-0 with a goal to the short side. After KSC's Erin Lester's (Walpole, N.) shot went wide, the Warriors had consecutive goals from Ashley Dynderski (North Branford, Conn.), Jessy Michelin (Monroe, Conn.), Meghann Booth (Windsor Locks, Conn.), and Jocelyn Preston (Thompson, Conn.). 

 KSC got shootout goals from Michelle Harmon (Nashua, N.H.), Katie Parkinson (So. Kingstown, R.I.), and Katie Bedigian (Northboro, Mass.).

Eastern Conn. had the better opportunities to get on the board in a scoreless first half.   Booth missed from close range and Ferrari on a break in was denied by Owl goalie Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.), who tipped her shot over the crossbar.

KSC's best chance was a short-range shot by Jenn Ortisi (Allenstown, N.H.) with three minutes to play in the half.

In the second half, ECSU's Annmarie Fillian (Canton, Conn.) broke in from the right side, but Mason was there again to stop her bid.  Later, Ortisi had a shot in close that just went over the cross bar and Katie Stevens (Londonderry, N.H.) broke in for a shot that was saved by Stacey Schofield (Woodstock, Conn.).

KSC had a flurry with 6:10 remaining with Stevens and Harmon with strong opportunities.

With 20 seconds to play in the first overtime, Megan Taylor (Manchester, Conn.) had a direct kick save that Mason momentarily mishandled at the goal line. Ferrari was there for the rebound that did not come.

ECSU had the a chance to win the game at the 3:12 mark on the second overtime when Booth broke in, but her drive from 12-yards out sailed just wide of the far cross bar.

Mason had eight saves for KSC (13-5-3), which now awaits an ECAC Tournament berth.  The Defending LEC champs, the Owls have appeared in six straight title games.

Schofield finished with seven saves for the Warriors (10-5-2).  Taylor was selected as the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.