'WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 11/12/05 -  Freshman Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.) scored two goals to lead Keene State College to a 4-1 victory over Wheaton College in a first round game of the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament played on Saturday in Williamstown, Mass. at Williams College.

KSC will face Williams, who defeated Worcester State College, 4-0 in its opening round game, on Sunday (1 p.m.). The Owls, who lost a first-round game (2-1) to Wheaton in 1997, advanced to the second round in 1999, 2002, and last year when they lost to Geneseo (N.Y.) State 3-2.  It is the first time the Owls have reached the regional championship game.  Keene State which was upset in the semifinals of the LEC Tournament, received an at-large bid to the NCAA's.   Wheaton concludes its season at 13-5-2. 

"We got a second chance and we took advantage of it," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "I can't tell you what is going to happen against Williams tomorrow (Sunday), but today we were the better team." 

Eric Scott (West Springfield, Mass.) opened up scoring for KSC off a rebound from Mike Cooley's (Northborough, Mass.) shot in the 21st minute.  It was his team-leading 13th goal of the season.  "It was a shot by Cooley that I re-deflected," said the junior midfielder.  "I was making my run and was at the right spot at the right time."

Keene State held on to a 1-0 lead going into the break.

The Owls didn't waste much time getting on the board in the second half.  Cooley made it 2-0 on a free kick from 25-yards out at the 39:53 mark.  "I was just trying to see what side the goalie was shading toward," said Cooley.  Fortunately, I was able to sneak it inside the post."

Wheaton answered just nine seconds later when freshman midfielder Jeff Shea (Canton, Mass.) scored off a pass from Trevor Cote (Portsmouth, R.I.) to bring the Lyons within one.

The Owls extended their lead to 3-1 on Horne's first goal of the game at the 35:15 mark of the half.  Ralph Rocco got an assist on the play. "Rocco led it to my front foot perfectly, and I was able to one-time it in," Horne said.  "I was aiming near the post and it went through the goalie's legs.  I was lucky." 

Horne finished the Owls' second half explosion after he took a pass from Nick Trottier (White River Junction, Vt.) with just 45 seconds remaining.

KSC goalie Cal Mintz (Westport, Conn.) finished with two saves, while David Croft (Cape Elizabeth, Me.) stopped four shots for Wheaton.  

 "We set the tone for the game with our physical play," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "The best thing about it is we never stopped playing." 

"Now our team knows they can play," he added.  "But we need another game out of them like this tomorrow. Williams' does not stop running at you. I just hope we have enough left in the tank."