'KEENE, N.H. 9/20/03 - The Keene State College women's soccer team began its Little East Conference schedule with a 9-0 victory over UMass-Boston in Keene on Saturday.

Erin Lester (Walpole, N.H.) had three goals and Beth Vachon (Amherst, N.H.) finished with two goals and two assists to power KSC's offense.

It was the second straight shutout for KSC, which improves to (5-2, 1-0 LEC).  UMass-Boston falls to 2-5 and 0-1 in conference play.

Controlling play from the start, KSC took a 2-0 half-time lead on goals by Amber-Lynn Lyman (Hinesburg, Vt.) and freshman Amy Cozzaglio (North Adams, Mass.). Lyman finished off a lead pass from Beth Vachon while Cozzaglio's goal, the first of her career, was on a fine individual effort when she went in and beat Beacon goalie Kristen Bowes (Quincy, Mass.).

The Owls netted seven second half goals. Vachon, on a cross that found the top corner of the net, and Courtney Gately (Canton, Mass.), on a shot from the top of the box, made it 4-0. It was Gately's first college goal. Erin Lester scored three goals in a span of four minutes, and Amber Tetreault (North Kingstown, R.I.) scored to wrap up the assault.

Sarah Campbell (Auburn, Mass.) and freshman Suzanne Estey  (So. Dennis, Mass.) didn't need to make a save to post the combined shutout. KSC outshot UMB 46-0 in the game.

Bowes had a strong performance in goal for the Beacons with 22 saves.

KSC hosts Middlebury College on Wednesday (5 p.m.).