KEENE, N.H.  9/11/08 - Junior midfielder Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H.) had three goals and an assist to lead Keene State to a 5-1 victory over Western New England College in non-conference field hockey action at Owl Athletic Complex on Thursday night.

After dropping its first game of the season, KSC has reeled off four straight wins.  Western New England falls to 0-3.

Dallas gave the Owls an early 1-0 lead on a fine individual effort.  The junior midfielder broke in alone and put the ball past WNEC freshman goalie Lindsey Orszulak (Longmeadow, Mass.) for her first goal of the season at the 3:37 mark.

KSC All-Americans Alyssa Rowell (Queensbury, N.Y.) and Dallas combined on KSC's second goal.  Following a corner, Rowell banged home a rebound from Dallas to make it 2-0.

Just before the end of the half, freshman forward Jacki Benson (Hampstead, N.H.) tipped in a shot from junior forward Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass.) to give the Owls a 3-0 lead at the break. 

Early in the second half, Dallas scored a pair of goals two minutes apart to extend the Owls' lead to 5-0.

"Their goalie was off her angles and I just took advantage of it," said Dallas. 

As far as the team's improving offense, Dallas said "Losing a couple of forwards has definitely affected us, but we have some of the freshmen that are stepping up and returners have filled in as well."

KSC lost its shutout bid in the final minute of play when Katy Vogl (Cazenovia, N.Y.) scored on rebound following a corner opportunity.

Junior Vikki Stoessel (Derry, N.H.) and sophomore Meghan Ledoux (Standish, Me.), who finished with two saves, each played a half in goal for KSC.  Orszulak was busy in the WNEC net, finishing with 18 saves for the Golden Bears.

Both teams begin league play on Saturday.  Keene State hosts LEC rival Eastern at 1:30 and WNEC travels to Salve Regina University for a Commonwealth Coast Conference contest at 1 p.m.