WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 9/26/07 - Alex Horne's (Harvard, Mass.) goal 13 minutes into the second half enabled the Keene State College men's soccer to upset Williams College Wednesday afternoon in Williamstown, Mass.

Struggling for a good part of the season, the Owls improve to 3-4-2.  The Ephs (4-1-1), ranked 17th nationally and third in New England, drop their first game of the season.

A strong second half was the key for KSC.  After a scoreless and evenly played first half, the Owls began to assert themselves and create several scoring opportunities.

"We were all over them in the second half," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  
 

Early in the half, Horne clanged one of the cross-bar and five minutes later missed a point-blank opportunity.
Not to be denied, the junior forward finally found the back of the net when he was sent by Pelse Mesa (Manchester, N.H.).  "I missed a couple of good chances earlier, so I knew I had to get this one," said Horne, about his fourth goal of the season.  "Pelse gave me a great ball, I had both corners of the net open, and fortunately, I picked the right side."

"We easily could have scored a few more goals, but I'll take a one goal victory over Williams," said Butcher, who applauded the play of midfielder Ben Allenet and Ross Stanton.

Mike Cooley (Northborough, Mass.), who also had a sold game up front for KSC, had a chanced to get a key insurance goal with five minutes to play, but his close range shot went wide.

"This is the way I expected us to play at the start of the season," Butcher said.  "But it's only one game and we have to go back to work tomorrow.  Hopefully we can keep the band-wagon going."

"We needed a turning point, and hopefully we found it," Horne said.  "Beating a team like Williams is a big confidence booster."

Cal Mintz (Westport, Mass.) made five saves to notch his second shutout of the season.  Andrew Graham stopped four shots for the Ephs.

KSC has played its share of big games against Williams over the years.  The Ephs, who own an 8-2 lead in the series, have won the last four meeting including two victories in NCAA play.

The Owls will be looking for its first LEC win on Saturday when they play at Eastern Conn.