'GLASSBORO, NJ - The Keene State men's soccer team defeated St. Joseph's College (LI), 6-1 in the opening round of the Harrison House Invitational .  The two-day invitational is hosted by Rowan University. The game, played in the rain, was moved to Rowan's turf field after a transformer blew at the grass field.

The Owls (1-0) were led by midfielders Eric Scott (sr. West Springfield, MA) and Jeremy Kelsey (jr. Gilford, NH) with two goals apiece.  Forward Pelse Mesa (jr. Manchester, NH) and midfielder Alex Horne (so. Harvard, MA) each scored once.  St. Joseph's lone goal was by midfielder Chris Kunzig (jr. Hauppauge, NY).

"It was a good starting game for us, "said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "Everyone was able to get their feet wet.  But we'll have to play better against Rowan tomorrow."

Keene State compiled 21 shots while St. Joseph's (0-1) took six.  Mark Tripi (sr. Miller Place, NY) started in the Golden Eagles' net and made four save in 82 minutes.  Mike Dougherty (so. Ronkonkoma, NY)  played in goal for the remainder of the game.  For the Owls, goalie Scott Pannone (so. Wolcott, CT) had two saves.

Keene State jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two straight goals by Kelsey at 7:39 and 20:12.  In the second half, St. Joseph's got on the scoreboard at 54:22 with Kunzig's score.   The Owls answered with four straight goals.  Horne had the first (62:49) followed by two straight from Scott (72:22 and 77:03).  The sixth and final goal was scored by Mesa (84:34).

In the first game, Rowan shutout Cabrini College, 2-0.  The Profs are the defending invitational champion and they have won two straight titles.  

On Saturday in the second round, Cabrini College (0-1) meets St. Joseph's College (LI) at 5 p.m. followed by Keene State against Rowan University (1-0) at 7 p.m.