BRISTOL, R.I. - The third seeded Keene State women's soccer team advanced to the championship game of the 2007 ECAC New England Division III tournament with a 2-1 upset victory over second seed Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. on Saturday.

Keene State (14-8-1) will face top seed Brandeis University in Sunday's championship game on Sunday in Waltham, Mass.  Brandeis defeated No. 5 seed MIT, 1-0, earlier in the day.   It was the first meeting between KSC and Roger Williams University, which finishes the season with a record of 16-7-1. KSC, which captured the 2005 ECAC title, will also be facing Brandeis for the first time.

"We've had an up-and down season, so it's great to get a chance to play for the ECAC championship," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "It's always nice that the seniors can go out with a championship.

Both teams battled through a stiff wind and chilly temperatures in the semifinal match up, leading to aggressive, physical play and long passing on each side.

Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) scored the first goal of the game, heading a long cross from Michelle Boland (Worcester, Mass.) in the 32nd minute to put the Owls up by one. Keene State took the 1-0 advantage into halftime, but would soon give it up.

Seven minutes into the second half, Jackie Vendola fired a shot at the net, but was saved by Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.). Hirsh, however, was not able to corral the shot, as the ball trickled away from her, giving an opportunistic Mary daCunha (the chance to play the ball into the open net for the equalizer.

With the game tied at one, the Owls wasted little time in answering back. At the 55:52 mark, a frenzied surge for the ball after a corner kick ended in Keene State's favor, when Renee Halsey (Francestown, N.H.) headed a shot just outside the reach of Jen Garside for what eventually amounted to the game-winning goal.

Garside made eight saves for RWU in the game, with Hirsh stopping two shots for the Owls.