'Willimantic, Conn. 05/01/05 - The Keene State College women's lacrosse team ended its regular season with a 13-8 Little East Conference loss to Eastern Connecticut State University in Mansfield, Conn. on Sunday.

The Owls, who defeated Eastern for the first time in last year's ECAC New England Division III Tournament final (17-16), falls to 7-7 and 3-3 in the conference. Keene State will be the fourth seed in the upcoming Little East Conference tournament and will face fifth-seeded University of Southern Maine on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) at Owl Athletic Complex.  With the victory, Eastern (10-6, 5-1 LEC) clinched the number two seed and a bye into the semifinal round of the LEC playoffs.  The semifinals and final will be hosted by number one seed Plymouth State University this Friday and Saturday.

Michelle Mason (Fairport, N.Y.) and Lauren Saunders (Fremont, N.H.) had four goals each to lead KSC. 

The Owls took a 3-1 lead on three goals by Mason, but ECSU scored the final eight goals of the first half to take a commanding 9-3 lead into the break.  Kara Mastroianni (Newington, Conn.), Ashley Able (Mystic, Conn.) and Jenna Faiola (Billerica, Mass.) each had two goals in the run. 

Mason and Lauren Saunders scored consecutive goals to bring KSC within four (9-5) in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Warriors punched in four unanswered goals to extend their lead to 13-5.  Saunders netted the last three goals of the game to finish with four on the day.  

KSC's Mandy Gray (Sharon, Mass.) stopped seven shots, while Erin Calkins (Stony Brook, N.Y.) finished with 13 saves for Eastern.