'KEENE, N.H. 10/4/06 - Tara Wagner (Avon, Conn.) scored a goal and tied the school's career assists record to lead the Owls to a 4-0 non-conference shutout win over Worcester State on Wednesday.

Wagner, a senior midfielder, netted KSC's third goal and recorded her career tying assist on the teams' fourth goal 10 minutes into the second half.  Wagner's third assist of the season gave her 31 for her career, tying Coach Denise Lyons' mark set between the 1986-89 seasons.

Wagner said the assist came by accident.  "I tried to shoot it, but the ball went off the side of my foot, Wagner said.  "Fortunately, Molly (Brunelle) was there to knock it  home. It wasn't pretty, but I'll take it."

"I told her 'congratulation, you're now in the record book with me,'', Lyons said. I'm glad one of my players was able to tie the record and I'm looking forward to her breaking it." 

Keene State jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead. Jessica Pepin (Bow, N.H.) scored the Owls' first goal on a penalty kick.  The Owls were awarded the penalty kick after Breanne Lucey (Keene, N.H.) was taken down in the box.  Kathleen Keniston (Minneapolis, Minn.) made it 2-0 when she converted a cross from Renee Halsey (Francestown, N.H.) and Tara Wagner (Avon, Conn.) completed the first half barrage by volleying a pass from Keniston.  It was Wagner's fifth goal of the season.

Tiffany Rotatori (Auburn, Mass.) had a pair of good scoring opportunities for the Lancers.  Her free shot was saved by Owl goalie Liz Rosen (Swanzey, N.H.) and her drive minutes later just missed the near post.

Rosen kept the Lancers off the board when she made a diving save off of Katie Downey (Webster, Mass.) five minutes into the second half.

Wagner recorded her record-tying assist at the 55:27 of the second half. Moving in front of the net, the senior midfielder miss hit a shot, but the ball rolled to Molly Brunelle (Walpole, N.H.) who netted her team-leading sixth goal of the season and put Wagner in the record book for the second time.  Wagner is one of four Owls who are tied for the season assists record (12).

In addition to the assist, Lyons was pleased with the overall play of her team.  "We played hard for 90 minutes," she said. "I got a 100% commitment form everyone. Hopefully we're peaking at the right time."

Rosen finished nine saves to notch her third shutout of the season.  Kim Massa (Westford, Mass.) had eight saves for the Lancers (9-3), who came into the game ranked 10th in the region.

KSC (7-5)returns to LEC play on Saturday at Eastern Conn. (1 p.m.).  WSC  is at Mass. College of Liberal Arts on Saturday (2 p.m.).