WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. -  The Keene State women's soccer team kept #1 ranked Williams College off the board in the first half, but the Ephs came back to score three unanswered goals in the second half en route to a 3-0 non-conference win over the Owls at Cole Field on Wednesday.

The Ephs, who posted their twelfth straight victoryand their fourth consecutive shutout, outshot Keene State 20-2 in the first period, and 32-4 overall.  Dominating time on the ball, the Ephs managed to shoot the ball every place but inside the net.  Countless balls sailed over the crossbar, others missed the post by inches. Owl goalie Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.) had six of her nine saves in the first half all of which were clutch stops that kept Keene State in contention for some time.

"Were were able to stay with them in the first half, but there's a reason why they are the top team in the country," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons. 

Williams scored minutes into the start of the second half.  At 49:32, Jackie Russo played the ball up the middle and proceeded to cross the ball to Gabrielle Woodson on the right wing.  Woodson lined the ball into the far left post for the 1-0 lead, and her team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Williams avoided a third straight 1-0 result at 71:27.  Annelise Snyder capitalized off a well-directed header from Bret Eisenhart.  Eisenhart scored the third goal of the game at the 83:44 mark off a loose ball.  Collecting off the deflection, the Williams freshman ripped a shot from just outside the penalty box. 

Keene State's best opportunity to score came in the first half with twelve minutes to play.  After Williams was called for a handball in front of the net, Keene had a chance at net but Katie Bradford's (Lebanon, N.H.) shot sailed wide past the left corner of the goal.

Keene State (12-5), which entered the game with a three game winning streak, travels to UMass-Boston on Saturday (1 p.m.)