KEENE, N.H. 10/2/07 - Mike Cooley's (Northborough, Mass.) goal at the 72:49 mark lifted Keene State College to a 1-0 non-conference men's soccer victory over Salem State College in Keene on Tuesday night.
 

On the goal, Cooley initially missed the sliding attempt.  Rob Musto (Guilford, Conn.), who was backing up the play, sent the ball back in and Cooley didn't miss the second time for his third goal of the season. "Musto gave me a great ball," said Cooley.  "I was just getting up and threw my body at it."

Both teams had strong scoring opportunities in a scoreless first half.  KSC goalie Scott Panone (Wolcott) smothered a drive by Alex Kakambouras (Melrose, Mass.) at the 20:53 mark.

The Owls' best chance came with just over five minutes to play in the half when  Cooley's drive from the top of the box was stopped by a diving save by Viking goalie Pawel Brzykcy (Krakow, Poland).

KSC turned up the pressure in the second half. Pelse Mesa (Manchester, N.H.) just missed the top far corner with a drive and Alex Horne's (Harvard, Mass.) break away bid was stopper by Brzykcy, who came out and cut the angle on the play. Later in the half, Cooley had a close-ranged stopped by Brzykcy.

Cooley eventually found the back of the net with the game-winner. "At this stage of the season, we're looking for a leader," Cooley said.  "It has to come from one of the players."

Panone finished with five saves for his third shutout of the season.  Brzykcy stopped 12 shots for the Vikings (6-3). 

Yuta Kizaki (Japan) bid to tie the game with two minutes to play sailed over the cross bar.

It was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2002 season.  The Owls lost to the Vikings (2-1) in the second-round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament.

KSC (4-4-3), which gets back to the .500 mark this season, will be on the road Saturday for an LEC game at R.I. College (1 p.m.)