KEENE, N.H. 10/23/04 - The Keene State College men's soccer team clinched first place in the Little East Conference and the top seed in the upcoming league tournament with a 4-1 victory over Rhode Island College at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

It was the third outright LEC regular season title for KSC (12-3-1, 6-0 LEC). R.I. College falls to 8-7-2 (3-2-1 LEC). Jason Lombardo (Woburn, Mass.) had two goals, his 10th and 11th of the season to lead KSC's attack.

Casey Banks (Westborough, Mass.) tipped in a centering pass from Eric Scott (West Springfield, Mass.) to give KSC a 1-0 lead six minutes into the game. It was his 10th goal of the season. RIC goalie Jadon Neves (Warren, R.I.) kept it a one goal game with great saves on Scott, Banks, and Lombardo later in the half.

The Owls were finally able to extend their half-time lead to 2-0 when Pelse Mesa (Manchester, N.H.) netted his first college goal on a breakaway.

After being taken down in the box, Kyle Teixeria (Warren, R.I.) scored on a penalty kick to make it a 2-1 game. It was his 18th goal of the season for the LEC's top scorer. KSC goalie Brandon Beck (Johnstown, N.Y.) made his best save of the game by knocking away a shot by Tim Leonard (Scituate, R.) at the post. Minutes later, Scott was taken down in the box. Lombardo scored on the penalty kick and later on a rebound to give KSC a 4-1 lead.

Beck had six saves for KSC while Neves had a strong game in net for the Anchormen finishing with 12 saves.

Keene State hosts Middlebury College on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.).