'KEENE, N.H. 9/17/05 - The Keene State College men's soccer team
delivered Head Coach Ron Butcher his historic 500th career victory
with a 2-0 shutout win over Little East rival Western Conn. State
University at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.
With the win, Butcher improves his overall coach record to
500-199-56 (.700 Pct.) becoming just the sixth men's collegiate
soccer coach to reach the 500-win milestone.
"I'm glad it's over because I thought the players came out in
the first half and were playing not to lose," said Butcher, who is
second among active and all-time Division III Coaches in victories
(behind Joe Bean of Wheaton (Ill.) College with 580 wins).
"It's been a long career and I thank all my players today and from
the past who made this possible.
When I began coaching 37 years ago, you never think 500 wins,"
he added. "The kids have kept me going. You don't have a
chance to get old. As soon as you get old it's time to get out of
the game. When I can't relate to my players, I'll retire.
Until then, I'm still going strong."
Butcher, has led the Owls to 27 post-season appearances,
including NCAA Division III berths six out of the past eight years.
Keene State (6-0, 1-0 LEC) had the better of the play in the
early going against WCSU. After Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.)
and Mike Cooley (Northborough, Mass.) missed good scoring
opportunities, Ralph Rocco (Groton, Mass.) found the back of the
net when he fired a loose ball past WCSU goalie Daniel Michalowski
(Bristol, Conn).
The Colonials (4-2, 0-1 LEC) best opportunity came at the 14:20
mark when Bradley Fidler's (West Lawn, PA.) shot hit off the cross
bar.
KSC had a chance to extend its lead, but Michalowski stopped
shots by Nick Trottier (White River Junction, Vt.) and Derrick
Amaio (Wethersfield, Conn.) in the final minutes of the half.
Eric Scott (West Springfield, Mass.) gave KSC a 2-0 lead at the
66:48 mark. Scott headed in a long throw-in from Noah
Hertzler (Hancock, N.H.) for his fifth goal of the season.
Cal Mintz (Westport, Conn.) stopped six shots for his second
shutout of the season. Michalowski had 11 saves for WCSU.
KSC hosts Westfield State on Wednesday night (7 p.m.). On
Tuesday, WCSU hosts Trinity College (7 p.m.).
