'KEENE, N.H. 11/8/06 - Eric Scott (West Springfield, Mass.) and
Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.) netted goals and Cal Mintz (Westport,
Conn.) made four saves to lead Keene State to a 2-0 shutout win
over Lasell College in a first-round NCAA Division III men's soccer
game played at rainy Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.
Keene State (15-5-1) advances to the second-round where they
will face Williams College on Saturday (1 p.m.) in
Williamstown. The Owls lost to Williams 2-0 in last year's
New England regional finals.
Lasell had several good scoring opportunities in the early
stages of the first half, but it was Keene State that scored the
first goal of the game. Brian Crook (Wareham, Mass.) headed
the ball to Scott in the box. Scott turned and fired a shot
into the top corner for his ninth goal of the season. "I was
at the right place at the right time," said Scott. "It's big
to get the first goal and put them back on their heels."
The Owls extended their lead early in the second half.
Ryan Farnsworth (Merrimack, N.H.) sent a through ball to Horne, who
netted his team leading 15th goal of the season. "The ball
hit a puddle and their defender lost his footing and I was long
gone," said Horne.
With Mintz out of position, Lasell's Jeff Danso (Worcester,
Mass.) had an opportunity to score into an open net, but his shot
sailed over the cross bar. Minutes later, Ryan Shaughnessey's
(Wrentham, Mass.) header hit off the cross bar.
Scott had an opportunity for his second goal of the game, but
Laser goalie Jullian Dutton (Madison, Conn.) stopped his bid with a
diving save.
Mintz preserved his shutout with 2:30 to play with a diving save
off of Brian Whelan (Weymouth, Mass.).
Mintz finished with four saves for his fifth shutout of the
season. Dutton stopped 11 shots for the Lasers (15-6), who
were making their second trip to the NCAA tournament.
"Just to get this game in was a major accomplishment," said KSC
coach Ron Butcher. "We got a tough win in less than ideal
conditions. I'm happy for the seniors they get to play one more
time."
