KEENE, N.H. 10/9/04 - Kaitlin Henley's (Somers, N.Y.) penalty stroke goal with just 38 seconds to play lifted Keene State College to a 1-0 Little East Conference field hockey victory over the University of Southern Maine at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

The penalty stroke was called after USM defender Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Me.) knocked down a shot by an Owl player with her hand. Henley fired in the stroke past Huskie goalie Sadie Garnache- Poirier (Biddeford, Me.) for her second goal of the season.

Despite controlling play throughout the game, KSC, which faltered on several penalty corner opportunities, had a difficult time finding the back of the net.

The Huskies had the best scoring opportunity in the first half, but Alyson Lumino's (Hampden, Me.) bid was blocked by KSC goalie Sara Joyce (Hampstead, N.H.) with a diving save. Joyce, who finished with three saves for her first shutout of the season, later made consecutive saves on shots by Sarah Metiver (Old Town, Me.) and Lumino early in the second half.

Henley had a shot bang off the post with just over 22 minutes to play before connecting on the game-winner.

Garnache- Poirier finished with 13 saves for Southern Maine (1-12, 0-4 LEC), which upset KSC in last year's LEC Championship game.

Winners of three straight, Keene State (5-5, 4-1 LEC) travels to New England College on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.). USM hosts Westfield State on Monday (2 p.m.).