KEENE, N.H. 10/14/08 - The Keene State College women's soccer team overcame an early two goal deficit to post a 5-4 non-conference victory over Tufts University, ranked No. 5 in New England at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday night.

With the scored knotted at 3-all at the half, KSC (11-4) scored a pair of goals just under two minutes apart to take a 5-3 lead. 

 Freshman back Bridget Hennessey (Essex Junction, Vt.) gave KSC a 4-3 lead at the 58:05 of the second half when her direct kick from 35-yards out today went just under the cross bar. "I was really nervous before taking the shot," said Hennessey. "I just wanted to get one goal this season.  When I hit it, I knew it was going to be a line drive. When it went into the net, I was so excited."

Senior Midfielder Michelle Boland (Worcester, Mass.) extended the Owls' lead to 5-3 minutes later when she knocked in a rebound for her third goal of the game and seventh of the season. "I just had great opportunities.  My teammates gave me great balls and I was able to finish them."

Junior goalie Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.), who finished with eight saves, made a couple of diving stops off of junior forward Jesslyn Jamison (Berkeley, Ca.) to keep the Jumbos off the board. "We played as a team" said Hirsh.  The defense in front of me was unbelievable."

 Tufts (6-3) cut the deficit to one goal, 5-4, when sophomore back Bailey Morgan (Universal City, Tx.) snuck the ball inside the post with just over five minutes to play.

"Everyone worked together for this win," said Hennessey. "We were physical and aggressive and took it to heart that we needed to step it up to get the win."

There were plenty of first half fireworks as both teams scored three goals apiece. The Owls scored on their first shot on goal at the 17:05 mark.  Junior back Stephanie Passerini (Wakefield, Mass.) sent in a lead ball to Boland.  Boland carried the ball down the right side and let go a shot from the top of the box into the net.

Tufts tied the game seven minutes later with freshman forward Jamie-Love Nichols (Cortez, Co.) headed in a crossing ball from sophomore midfielder Sarah Nolet (Los Altos, Ca.). Love-Nichols scored on a rebound at the 29:48 mark to put the Jumbos ahead 2-1.

With Tufts sophomore goalie Hannah Jacobs (Mill Valley, Ca.) out of position, sophomore midfielder Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) had a opportunity to tie the game, but her shot hit off the cross bar.

Minutes later at the 32:34 mark, Love-Nichols netted her third goal of the half and fifth of the season when she scored form the left corner of the box.

KSC came back to tie the game with two goals within a five minutes span late in the half.    Boland got KSC within one with a shot into the far corner and freshman forward Samantha Jo Saltamaccia (Sandown, N.H.) knotted the game with a shot from the top of the box.

Jacobs played the first 36:05 for the Jumbos giving ups two goals and not recording a save.   Brandon Alissa played the final 53:55 and allowed three goals while making one save.

Bothe teams return to conference play on Saturday. Keene State hosts UMass-Dartmouth in a LEC game at 1 p.m. Tufts entertains Williams College at noon.