'DANBURY, CT (April 14, 2007) - Samantha Martella (Dix Hills, NY) scored four goals and the Keene State College women's lacrosse team held off a second-half charge from Western Connecticut State University in its 15-8 victory at the Westside Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon.

The Owls, now 5-4 overall and 3-1 in the Little East Conference took an 8-2 lead into intermission, but saw their lead dwindle to four goals following a goal by Jena Lung (Bethel, CT) with 7:52 remaining in the game.  The Colonials trailed 12-8 at that point and would not get any closer as Keene State added three unanswered goals down the stretch.

Andrea Mitchell (Bow, NH) added a hat trick for the Owls while Steph Georgevits (Concord, NH) and Lanaya Nelson (Chester, CT) contributed a pair of goals each for the winners.

Caitlin Everin (Glastonbury, CT) led the Colonials, now 1-8 overall and 0-3 in the league, with three goals.  Kara Kruczkiewicz (Brookfield, CT) added two goals and an assist for WestConn.

Jen Gearing (Westfield, MA) made 13 saves in goal for Keene State while Angela Vargas (Stonington, CT) turned away 15 shots for the Colonials.

WestConn travels to Georgian Court College on Tuesday, April 17 for a non-league affair at 4 p.m.  Keene State hosts Colby-Sawyer College Monday, April 16 at 4 p.m.

(Courtesy WCSU Sports Information)