Springfield, Mass. - 11/12/08 - Ther fifth time didn't prove to be a charm for the Keene State field hockey team which dropped a 1-0 NCAA game to Springfield College and came up short in its bid to advance beyond the first-round of the NCAA Tournament for a fifth straight season.

Springfield sophomore Meg Bradley (Cumberland, R.I.) finished a feed from Jill Urtz (Verona, N.Y.) with just over four minutes remaining in the first half to lift Springfield College to the first round victory.

Keene State concludes its season at 18-6 while Springfield, who avenged an early 2-1 loss to the Owls earlier this season, advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will travel to take on Tufts on Saturday afternoon in Medford, Mass.

Keene State struggled in the opening 20 minutes and had to play catch-up the rest of the way. "They came out more aggressive at the start and really went at us," said KSC Coach Amy Watson.

The Pride, which has been to the last five NCAA Tournaments, enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, taking 18 shots and having five penalty corners. Becca Gamble (Granby, Conn.) and Jane Kelleher (Chatham, Mass.) both had several outstanding scoring chances for Springfield, but Keene goalkeeper Vicki Stoessel (Derry, N.H.) was up to the task. In the first half alone, Stoessel made 14 stops in the cage for the Owls.

The Pride tallied the only goal of the game with just over four minutes remaining in the opening half. Off a penalty corner, Urtz, a senior co-captain, pushed a centering pass from just to the right of the top of the circle. Bradley took the feed and made no mistake as she unleashed a shot from 10 yards out into the back of the cage, giving the home Pride a 1-0 advantage.

For the Owls, Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass.) had the two best chances for the visitors in the first half. On both occasions, Benning drove in from the left hand side of the cage but was unable to get off a shot.

In the second stanza, Keene State was much more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball, outshooting the Pride 10-7 in the stanza. Aislyn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) caused fits for the Pride's defense as she was able to get several shots in from in close. With just over 13 minutes remaining in the contest, Sherry was on the doorstep and let off two shots, but Springfield keeper Alison McCarthy (North Andover, Mass.) denied the Owls scoring chances with a pair of great saves.

Keene State had another strong chance to get the equalizier with 10:15 remaining in the game as Alyssa Rowell (Queensbury, N.Y.) fired a shot from the top of the circle, which McCarthy kicked away.

"We had a hard time converting our chances, especially our corners and you can't let those opportunities slide by" Watson said.  "Vikki had a great game in goal, but you have to play at the other end too."

Stoessel finished with 20 saves in goal for the Owls while McCarthy earned the shutout victory with eight saves. Keene State finished with an 8-6 lead in penalty corners in the game.

"They know how to get down on the circle and get their shots off quickly," said Stoessel, who finished with a career high 20 saves.  "I think we did a pretty good job of shutting them down.  I'd like to see us get past the first round.  I have one more year left to try to get us over the hump."

The game marked the final Owl contests for seniors Samantha Blanchard (Amesbury, Mass.), Heather McDougall (Avon, Conn.), Liz Rand (Peterborough, N.H.) and Rowell.  "I guess it wasn't meant to be," said Rowell about the Owls' attempt to advance in the tournament.  "The loss is tough, but I've had a great career at Keene State."

Watson looked to the years ahead.  "We had a great season and had many young players make a significant contribution.  "Hopefully, they can build on that experience and take the program to the next level."