'KEENE, N.H. 4/14/07 - Keene State College defeated Western Connecticut State University 16-3 in a physically played Little East Conference men's lacrosse game at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

Ranked 23rd in the latest USILA poll and fifth in New England, Keene State (10-0, 4-0 LEC) continued its undefeated season.  Western Conn. drops to 7-5 (1-3 LEC).

Sean Panora (South Windsor, Conn.) scored four goals for the Owls who jumped out to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter.  Two unanswered second quarter goals by Panora and Mike Fontaine (Wolfeboro, N.H.), who netted three goals in the game, extended KSC's halftime advantage to 7-1. Panora has a team-leading 24 goals this season.

"It was a physical game, but I thought we responded well," said KSC Coach Mark Theriault. "Western Conn. is one of those up-and-coming teams in the conference and they played hard."

Theriault said the difference was the play of his team's defense. "They're doing just a fantastic job," Theriault said about Owls' defense which is second in the country (Division III) in goals (42) allowed.  "It's easy to get some momentum going when they keep stopping the other team."

In addition to his strong defensive play, long-pole midfielder Easton Keezer (Derry, N.H.)also chipped in with a pair of goals.  "I just took advantage of the open lane and tried to make a big play," he said.

Tony Santa Fe (Derry, N.H.,) and Taylor Morasutti (Cheshire, Conn.) added two goals each.  Santa Fe also had three assists.

Adam Lanehart (Redding, Conn.) scored a pair of goals for the Colonials.

Keene State goalie Matt Johnson (Derry, N.H.) and WCSU goalie Kyle Wood (Hyde Park, N.Y.) both finished the game with 14 saves.

Keene State has a week off to prepare for next Saturday's key LEC game at home against Eastern Conn.  Western Conn. hosts UMass-Boston on Saturday.