KEENE, N.H.  9/28/08 - Keene State College got goals from four different players and received strong play from its defense to post a 4-0 shutout victory over rival Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference women's soccer game at Owl Athletic Complex on Sunday.

Winners of five out of its last six games, KSC improves to 8-2 (2-0 LEC).  Plymouth State falls to 2-3-2 (0-2 LEC).

Sophomore forward Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) had two quality chances to get the Owls on the board, the best coming at the 32:12 mark when she was sent in alone on a pass from  junior midfielder Kendra Spencer (Petoskey, Mich.).  PSU freshman goalie Stephanie Regina (Howell, N.J.) was up to the challenge, stopping both bids.  

Bradford didn't miss her next opportunity with 10 minutes to play in the half.  Sent in again by a lead pass from junior back Jacyln Grant (Newington, Conn.), Bradford went wide pulling Regina out of position and deposited the ball into the open net for her team-leading 10th goal of the season.

In addition to the assist, Grant was proud of her team's defensive play. "I'm really proud of our defense, we played really well together as a unit," she said.  "We have a big week ahead against Worcester State and Plymouth, so we have to tighten up a bit."

Minutes later, freshman midfielder Tara Nathan (Bethel, Conn.) had a chance to extend the Owls lead, but her close-range shot was stopped by a busy Regina, who finished the game with 17 saves.  

KSC kept the pressure on in the second half. Regina came up big again for the Panthers with a diving save off the foot of sophomore midfielder Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) and an attempt by freshman Sia Karamourtopoulos (Freemont, N.H.). Later, Bradford had a chance to net her second of the game, but her shot slid just wide of the right post. 

The Owls got an insurance goal at the sixty minutes mark. Senior midfielder Michelle Boland (Worcester, Mass.) intercepted a pass and fed Karamourtopolis, who put the ball into the far corner of the net for her third goal of the season.

"Michelle gave me a great through ball and I had an opening on the far side," Karamourtopolis said.  "As a freshman, it's nice to make a contribution."

The Panthers had a couple of opportunities to make it a one goal game with just over 25 minutes to play, a shot by sophomore midfielder Rachel Kindl (Granby, Conn.) went wide and a bid by freshman midfielder Amy Green (Atkinson, N.H.) sailed over the net.

Entering the game minutes earlier, sophomore midfielder Katelin Waltz (Southington, Conn.) made an immediate contribution, knocking in a rebound off the post to make it a 3-0 game at the 70:55 mark.  It was her first goal of the season.

Four minutes later the Owls were rewarded a penalty kick when Mahoney was taken down in the box.  Freshman forward Shannon Hennessey (Essex Junction, Vt.) connected on the PK to give KSC a 4-0 lead. It was her second goal of the season.

Despite the win, KSC Coach Denise Lyons was concerned about her team missing many scoring chances.  "It's nice that we're creating all these opportunities, but we have to finish them," she said. "If we don't finish, we're not going to win many games.  You're not going to get that many opportunities against the stronger teams in the conference."

Senior Samantha Hirsh (Holliston, Mass.) and sophomore Ashley Molloy (Manchester, N.H.) shared the shutout in goal for KSC.  Hirsh made three saves while Molly didn't stop a shot in the final 12:46 of play.

Keene State hosts Worcester State in a non-conference game on Wednesday (5 p.m.). Plymouth State returns home to face Lyndon State on Thursday (4:30 p.m.).