KEENE, N.H. 11/6/04 - Top seed Keene State College scored a goal in each half on the way to posting a 2-0 victory over second seed Plymouth State University to claim the 2004 Little East Conference field hockey championship at Keene on Saturday.

It was Keene State's third Little East title (1998 and 1999) and first NCAA tournament berth since 1999. The Owls lost to Southern Maine 3-1 in last year's final.

"This was a great accomplishment," said an emotional KSC Coach Amy Watson. "We had so much going against us with losing so many seniors and changing playing fields. But this team wouldn't be denied."

The Owls didn't waste anytime getting on the board. Amanda Rosenbeck (Wilder, Vt.) scored off a corner play with a shot from 10-yards out to give KSC a quick 1-0 lead three minutes into the game. Rachel Ladd (Bridgewater, Mass.) had an assist on the play.

Plymouth State had a chance to tie the game early in the second half, but KSC goalie Sara Joyce (Hampstead, N.H.) made sliding save on PSU's Annie Metz (North Chelmsford, Mass.).

The Owls' second goal came on a fine individual effort by Kaitlin Henley (Somers, N.Y.). The senior forward carried the ball into the Panther's side of the field and blasted a shot that was deflected into the net by Katy Pokrywka (Roxbury, Conn.). It was Pokrywka's ninth goal of the season.

Joyce finished with four saves to record her fifth shutout of the season. Katie Randall (Portsmouth, N.H.) made five saves for Plymouth (15-4), which won three straight titles (2000-02).

Junior back Amy Pokrywka (Roxbury, Conn.) was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.