BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Senior forward Steve Pagnotta (Randolph, N.J.)scored his fourth consecutive game-winning goal to lead the Babson College men's soccer team to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over visiting Keene State College in a non-conference game at Hartwell-Rogers Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Beavers, who entered the game ranked 11th in New England, picked up their fourth straight win to improve to 8-3-1 overall, while Keene State, ranked second in the region and 15th in the nation, lost its first game since September 8, dropping its record to 8-2-1.

In an evenly-played first half, Keene State nearly grabbed the lead with five minutes remaining, as an Owl forward headed a shot over the head of charging first-year goalie Chris Necklas (Guilford, Conn.). However,first-year back Kevin Owens (Boulder, Conn.) came sliding in to clear the ball from just inside the right post, keeping the Owls off the board.

The second half saw Keene State mount five shots against Necklas, but Owens and the Babson defense limited the visitors to just two attempts on net. Meanwhile, the Beavers netted the game-winner on their third and final shot of the period at 76:37, as senior Nick Richio (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) gained control of a loose ball on the left side and slid it across to Pagnotta. The senior forward then ripped a shot that caromed off a Keene State defender and tucked inside the left post, just beyond the outstretched hands of diving senior goalie Brandon Beck (Johnstown, N.Y.). It was Pagnotta's team-leading 10th goal of the season, tying his career high set back in 2002.

Necklas finished with three saves in net for Babson, including two in the second half. It was his third straight shutout and sixth on the season. Beck turned away one shot in net for Keene State.

(courtesy of Babson College)