KEENE, N.H. 9/11/04 - Jason Lombardo (Woburn, Mass.) and Casey Banks (Westborough, Mass.) scored first half goals as the Keene State College men's soccer team held on for a 2-1 upset victory over nationally ranked Wheaton College in Keene on Saturday.

Lombardo opened the scoring just 2:23 into the game with his second goal of the season. "I just beat the defender to the ball and put it into the net," said Lombardo. "When you play a nationally ranked team, you have to put them on your heels."

Banks made it 2-0 later in the half when he knocked in a rebound following a shot by Derrick Amaio (Wethersfield, Conn.). I just came in from the far post and tapped it by the goalie."

Wheaton, ranked third in the country and first in the region, came alive in the second half and finally got on the board when Matt Ristuccia (Newton, Mass.) scored on Ariel Tatum's rebound 10 minutes into the second half.

The Lyons threatened with several scoring opportunities in the final minutes of play, but could not get the equalizer. With KSC goalie Brandon Beck (Johnstown, N.Y.) out of the net, Ristuccia's shot hit the far left post.

Beck finished with six saves for the Owls (3-1) while Matt Pachniuk (Newtown, Conn.) made two saves for the Lyons (4-1). "We got upset the other day and we knew we had to come back," said Banks. "This was a big game for us."

Ranked fifth in the region, KSC host Mass. College on Wednesday (7 p.m.).