WILLIMANTIC, Conn. - Sophomore forward Sarah Swann (Oxford, Conn.) scored her seventh goal of the year 82 seconds into sudden-victory overtime to carry the Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team past Keene State College, 1-0, in the semifinal round of the 2007 Little East Conference playoffs at Thomas Nevers Field.

Second-seeded Eastern (11-5-2) advances to the final for the fourth time in five years against the winner of Thursday's late match between No. 1 seeded Western Connecticut State University and No. 4 seeded Rhode Island College. If Western wins Thursday, they Colonials will host the final Saturday. If Rhode Island wins, Eastern would host Rhode Island Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Chased by three Keene State (12-8-1) defenders after receiving a pass from junior midfielder Nicole Gaudette (Colchester, Conn.), Swann roofed a shot inside the near post from near the six-yard goalie box just 1:22 into sudden-victory overtime. When Swann has scored this year, Eastern (7-0-0) has not lost.

The shutout win is the second in as many matches this year for Eastern behind senior keeper Megan Gloster (Agawam, Mass.). Gloster, who made seven saves in the team's 2-0 win at Keene State Sept. 29, needed only two this time to record her third full-match shutout this year in as many tries (she has split time with sophomore Kim Church (Farmington, Conn.) in her other 13 starts this year).

The winning goal originated on a Keene throw-in from inside Keene's defensive third. Gaudette gained possession and one-timed it into the box, where a Keene header sent it back to Gaudette. Gaudette immediately returned the header with a right-footed half-volley that sent the ball back into the box. The quick counter caught Keene flatfooted, the ball sailing over the heads of three defenders to the foot of Swann. With the defenders giving chase, Swann carried briefly before unloading a shot from the right corner of the six-yard box inside the near post, over the head of Keene junior keeper Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.).

While Eastern's starting defense allowed the Owls only three shots, Gloster was tested with 16 seconds left in regulation on a shot by freshman forward Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) that nearly put Keene ahead. From inside the box, Bradford squarely headed a free kick by sophomore midfielder Kendra Spencer (Petosky, Mich.) toward the crossbar, just inside the right post. Gloster timed her leap perfectly and pinned the shot between the crossbar and the post, then collided with Keene junior midfielder Michelle Boland (Worcester, Mass.) on her way back down. Boland was issued a yellow card for rough play.

With 12 minutes left in the first half - on Keene's only shot of the half -- Gloster saved another potential goal when she raced off her line to beat Keene senior Renee Halsey (Francestown, N.H.) to the ball and clear it away. Halsey had broken free from just over midfield and gave chase to a through-ball, but was just beaten to the ball by a charging Gloster.

Eastern rang up 14 corner kicks against just two for Keene, but the Owls's defense prevented the Warriors from capitalizing, or even threatening on those opportunities.

The shutout is the 11th of the year for Eastern, tying the program season mark, set in 2002. The win also keeps the Warriors unbeaten (6-0-2) this year at home, where they have outscored the opposition, 17-3.

Keene State saw its strong of eight consecutive trips to the LEC finals come to an end. The Owls won LEC championships in 2002 and 2004. Eastern has won conference playoff titles in 2003 and 2005, beating Keene State both times.

(Courtesy ECSU Sports Information)