GORHAM, Maine  - Senior forward Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass./Nauset Regional) banged in the game-winning goal four minutes into overtime to lead the Keene State College Owls to a hard-fought 2-1 Little East Conference field hockey win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon at Paula D. Hodgdon Field in Gorham.  

            Benning's team-leading 15th goal of the season extends the Owls' winning streak to three and improves their overall record to 10-3 and 5-2 in the Little East.  The loss snaps a five-game win streak for Southern Maine that dips to 9-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

            Benning corralled a pass from freshman midfielder Alexandra Billert (Center Conway, N.H./Kennett) in the 75th minutes and played it to the right of USM senior goalkeeper Allison Hill (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) to deliver the win for Keene State.  It was Benning's eighth game-winning goal of the season.

            "Alex gave me a great cross and I just told myself to get a stick on it," said Benning about her game winner.  "Once I heard the back of the net, I just screamed.  It was an awesome win for us."

            "It's hard to play up there because of their grass surface," said KSC Coach Amy Watson.  "It's a tough transition for us to make, but we played the style of field hockey we needed to play to be successful. I'm glad to have that game behind us."

            Both teams were evenly matched, with the Owls holding a slight 14-11 advantage on shots while the Huskies held a 14-10 edge on penalty corners.  Southern Maine and Keene State battled to a scoreless tie through the first half, before Keene State struck for the first goal of the game early in the second stanza.  Junior midfielder Chelsea Blackmer (Boylston, Mass./Tahanto Regional) scored on an unassisted strike in the 40th minute.  Southern Maine quickly evened the score in the 46th minute following an unassisted goal from freshman forward Bethany Schleh (Gorham, Maine/Cheverus).  Schleh's goal was her seventh of the season.  

            Both teams' goalkeepers played outstanding in net.  Keene State senior goalkeeper Vikki Stoessel (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) finished the game with 10 saves, including a key hustle play in overtime.  Hill turned in a strong performance making 11 saves and several defensive clears.  Both goalkeepers were aided by defensive saves.  Keene State senior back Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H./Keene) and USM junior back Heather Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) each made a defensive save.

            Southern Maine hosts Bates College in a non-conference game on Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).  Keene State travels to 10th ranked nationally Middlebury College on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.).

(Courtesy University of Southern Maine Sports Information)