'KEENE, N.H. 03/27/06 -  Sean Panora (South Windsor, Conn.) had six goals and two assists to lead the Keene State College men's lacrosse team to a 15-3 non-conference victory over New England College on Monday afternoon at Owl Athletic Complex. 

"It was a good day," said Panora, who leads the team in scoring with 18 goals. After scoring a few, you start to get more comfortable and get into a rhythm." 

Making its best start in program history, Keene State improves to 5-0 on the season, while New England College drops to 1-5.

Taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Mike LeSage (Exeter, N.H.) at the 11:39 mark of the first quarter, NEC answered with a goal of its own just over two minutes later by Kyle Burke (Winnetka, Ill.). The Owls responded by netting three consecutive goals, a pair from Panora and one from Ryan Hazleton (Chester, N.H.), in a span of two minutes to take a 4-1 lead eight minutes into the game.  KSC extended its lead with a 4-1 run to close out the quarter with a commanding 8-2 advantage.

The Owls outscored the Pilgrims 7-1 the remainder of the game to account for the 15-3 final. 

LeSage, Casey Broderson (Derry, N.H.), and Hazelton scored two goals each for Keene State.  Lauranzano, Mike Fontaine (Wolfeboro, N.H.), and Kevin McCarthy (Derry, N.H.) finished with single goals for the Owls. 

"We are gaining momentum," Panora said.  "We're getting ready for the big games later this season." 

Burke led the Pilgrims with two goals.

KSC's Matt Johnson had a strong day in goal making 13 saves.  Billy Brooks (Lewiston, Me.) stopped eight shots for NEC.  

Keene State will travel to UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday (1 p.m.) for its first LEC game of the season.