'KEENE, N.H. 9/20/03 - The Keene State College began Little East Conference play in a big way on Saturday with a 12-1 trouncing of the UMass-Boston Beacons in Boston.

Justin Hickman (Mont Vernon, N.H.), Joey Amaio (Wethersfield, Conn.), and freshman Nick Trottier (White River Junction, Vt.) netted two goals each to lead the Owls (5-3, 1-0 LEC).

The Owls' 12 goals was one shy of the team record (13) set against Hilbert College during the 1997 season.

KSC wasted no time getting on the board as Banks broke the UMB backfield and scored just 23 minutes into the match.  The Owls scored twice more over the next six minutes, getting goals from Hickman and Jason Lombardo (Woburn, Mass.) to go up 3-0 with 6:26 gone in the contest.  Amaio added a pair of goals before halftime as KSC took a 8-0 advantage into the break.  Trottier added two goals in the second half as the Owls continued on their onslaught.

The Beacons prevented a shutout when Sean Vauldrin (Wilbraham, Mass.) scored at the 70:03 mark of the second half.

Trottier finished the day with five points with a pair of goals and an assist for KSC while banks also added a couple of assists.

Brandon Beck (Johnstown, N.Y.) (four saves) and James Munsell (Sherbourne, Mass.) (two saves) split time in goal for the Owls.

KSC hosts Westfield State on Wednesday  (7 p.m.).