KEENE, N.H.  10/29/08 - Freshman forward Samantha Jo Saltalamaccia (Sandown, N.H.) had two goals and junior goalie Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.) tuned aside all seven shots she faced as Keene State posted a 2-0 non-conference women's soccer victory over Bridgewater State in Keene on Wednesday night.

Saltalamaccia, who now has four goals on the season, found the back of the net in each half.  "I was in good position for the first goal and the second one came on a great ball from Michelle (Boland), said Saltalamacchia.  I've been getting some extra playing time and I'm trying to take advantage of it."

Bridgewater State had the best opportunity to get on the board in the early going. Senior forward Kaitlin Lamothe (Wrentham, Mass.) deflected a corner ball, but Hirsh was in the right spot to foil her bid at the 23:10 mark.

The Owls netted the only goal of the half at the 33:59 mark.  BSC senior goalie Ashley Spingler (West Springfield, Mass.) made the initial stop on a shot by freshman midfielder Tara Nathan (Bethel, Conn.), but Saltalamaccia knocked in the rebound.

Nathan had a chance to add to the Owls' lead with 4:30 to go, but her header hit off the near post.

The Bears had several strong opportunities to score early in the second half.  A nice individual effort by Lamothe was denied by Hirsh, a bid by junior midfielder Jacklyn Visocky (Brockton, Mass.) went just wide, and Hirsh batted away a close range shot by Lamothe.

Hirsh held the fort until KSC was able to get an additional goal. "The coaching staff gave me a few tips when I was warming up and I was able to execute them during the game," said Hirsh, who notched her second shutout of the season.  "It was a great team win tonight."

Keene State scored a key insurance goal at the 74:07 mark of the second half when Saltalamaccia redirected a crossing ball from senior midfielder Michelle Boland (Worcester, Mass.).

Minutes later, Lamothe had a break away opportunity denied by Hirsh who came out and got a hand on her shot.  

Spingler finished the game with six saves for Bridgewater State (9-3-3), which saw its four game winning streak come to an end.

Keene State (14-5) has won five out of its last six games.

Keene State leads the series between the two teams 9-0-1.

Both teams return to conference play on Saturday. Keene State concludes its regular season at home against Western Conn. (1 p.m.) Bridgewater is at Mass. Maritime for a 10 a.m. game.