MANSFIELD, Conn. - The Keene State College field hockey team erupted from a scoreless tie by striking for three goals in a six-minute span late in the match in posting its 18th straight Little East Conference regular-season victory, 3-0, Saturday afternoon in the conference opener for both schools.

Although Keene (2-1) had better offensive chances, the Owls could not break through until there were only 13 minutes left. Senior midfielder Amy Dubois (Jefferson, NH), freshman midfielder Chelsea Blackmer (Boylston, MA) and junior forward Elizabeth Rand (Peterborough, NH) all scored their first goals of the season as the Owls pulled away for their sixth straight win over Eastern (1-1).

Keene has won or shared the last four conference regular-season titles. Last year, the Owls won all 11 regular-season matches, then went on to the post-season tournament title. 

Senior forward Maegan Moran set up the first goal when she sent a pass from the right end line across the goal mouth to Dubois, who re-directed it into an open area in the cage. Senior forward Kat Trimmer assisted on Blackmer's first career goal less than four minutes later, and sophomore midfielder Erin Dallas found Rand open on the left side of the cage for the final goal with just over seven minutes left. Rand had entered the match for the first time just seconds earlier.

Eastern freshman defender Rachel Cocola (South Windsor) had kept the match scoreless when she cleared the ball off the goal line with sophomore goalkeeper Tia Mucciarone (Franklin, MA) ten minutes into the second half. The Warriors did not earn a penalty corner until 13 minutes into the second half as Keene gained a 12-4 advantage in that category. 

Keene senior goalkeeper Jennifer McDougall was not called upon for a save until  just 2:30 remained in the match, when she kicked out a bid by first-year Eastern junior transfer Drew Gomes (Thomaston).

Led by sophomore forward Carly Benning's  five shots, Keene outshot Eastern 17-2. Mucciarone made seven saves in losing her first collegiate match in her first start. Mucciarone came off the bench and was credited with Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over visiting  Lasell.

Keene State travels to Western New England on Tuesday (7 p.m.). Eastern visits Manhattanville College Tuesday at 4 p.m.

(Courtesy Eastern Conn. Sports Information)