'KEENE, N.H. 9/16/06 - Catherine Nathan (New Fairfield, Conn.) netted two second half goals to lead nationally ranked Western Conn. State University to a 2-0 Little East Conference women's soccer victory over Keene State College at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.   It was the LEC opener for both teams.

Ranked 17th in the nation and third in the region, WCSU remains undefeated (5-0, 1-0 LEC).  Keene State falls to 4-3 and 0-1 LEC play.

After a scoreless first half, WCSU got on the board at the 59:03 mark. Kim Crayco (Bolton, Conn.) shot was stopped by Owl goalie Liz Rosen (Swanzey, N.H), but Nathans scored put the rebound into the top of the net.

Nathan's second goal, her team-leading eighth of the season, came with five seconds to play when she finished off a centering pass from Crayco.

Both teams had excellent chances to score in the first half.  KSC's Tara Wagner (Avon, Conn.) hit the post seconds into the game.  Minutes later, Nathans banged a shot off the cross bar for WCSU.  With just under 14 minutes to play, Colonials goalie Jenna Cappellieri (Stratford, Conn.) made a diving save on a shot by Ali Corso (Farmington, Conn.).

After scoring their first goal, Colonials took control of play preventing the Owls from getting the equalizer.

Cappellieri finished with six saves to notch her first shutout of the season. Rosen had five saves for KSC.

Keene State travels to Middlebury College on Wednesday (4 p.m.).