KEENE, N.H. 9/13/07 - Goals by Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.) and Mike Vitone (Coventry, R.I.) lifted Keene State College to a 2-0 non-conference men's soccer victory over Worcester State at Owl Athletic Complex on Thursday.
 

The Owls improve to 2-2-1. Worcester State falls to 2-3.

The Owls took a 1-0 lead at the 21:11 mark on Horne's third goal of the season.  The junior forward headed home a crossing pass from Caleb Patterson (Barrington, N.H.). 
KSC had a chance to extend its lead later in the half, but freshman Eric Marten's (Peterborough's) blast from the right wing was stopped by Lancer goalie Albert Jenkins (Thomaston, Ga.).

WSC had a chance to tie the game nine minutes into the second half. With KSC goalie Scott Panone (Wolcott, Conn.) out of position, Matt Brothers' (Auburn, Mass.) shot sailed over the net.  
 

KSC also missed a similar opportunity to score later in the game.  With Jenkins out of position, Lancer midfielder Eder Baptista (Pawtucket, R.I.) knocked away a shot by Patterson.

Vitone (Coventry, R.I.), a sophomore midfielder, gave KSC a 2-0 lead at the 72:49 mark when he won a 50-50 ball and found the bottom right corner of the net.
The Owls had several chances to extend their lead, Marten's attempt was tipped away by Jenkins and Patterson hit the post.

After making a few adjustments at the break, the Owls didn't allow a Lancer shot on net in the second half. "I was very happy with our second half and the scoring chances we created," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "Now we start the conference schedule.  These are the ones that count."

Panone stopped two shots to notch his second shutout of the season.  Jenkins finished the game with sight saves for WSC.

KSC begins LEC at Southern Maine on Saturday (1 p.m.).