KEENE, N.H., 10/15/09 - When you think of big Little East Conference women's soccer games, Keene State vs. UMass-Boston doesn't usually come to mind.  But that's not the case this season.   A potential LEC regular season championship and home field advantage in the conference tournament could be at stake when the first-place Owls (10-3-1, 4-0 LEC) host the upstart Beacons (9-2-1, 3-0-1 LEC) on Saturday (1 p.m.).

"We can't take them lightly. We can't treat them like the UMass-Boston teams of the past," said Keene State Coach Denise Lyons.  "They beat Western Conn. and tied Eastern Conn., so they are legit." 

While Keene State has always been in the upper echelon of the conference and won a pair of LEC crowns, UMass-Boston have finished in the bottom of the standings 12 straight years before moving up to fourth last season.

Since joining the Little East in 1997, KSC has won all 12 meetings against UMB, outscoring the Beacons by a wide 68-2 margin.  But these aren't your mother's Beacons anymore.

Under the guidance of former Owl All-American and assistant coach Amy Zombeck, the Beacons have seen the light.  Now in her fifth season at UMB, the Claremont native has erased memories of season past with a fresh outlook.

"I think people are surprised when they hear our record because we've had a stigma from years past," said Zombeck.  "But it's been a fresh start for everybody.  The players wanted to come in and make a difference and have an opportunity to change a program around."

And boy have they.  Currently sitting in second place in the LEC, the Beacons, who bring a school record nine game unbeaten streak into Saturday's contest, snapped a 13-game match losing streak with their 0-0 tie against Eastern Conn. and notched a first-ever victory (1-0) over defending LEC champs Western Conn.

"This team has a different mentality," said Zombeck.  "They believe they can compete with anyone from the first to the last whistle."

While Zombeck credits her teams' success to a group effort, there have been some standouts of note.  Sophomore forward Kristin Mulry and junior Michelle Caine are two-time LEC offensive and goalie of the week honorees respectively.

Zombeck, who worked as an Owl assistant coach for four years, credits Lyons for serving as a positive mentor.  "She told me about loyalty and supporting the players and how to run a program," said Zombeck.  "It's one thing to be a player at a school and another to be a coach there."

"Amy has done a great job turning the UMass-Boston program around," said Lyons.  "I'm really happy for her."

Both mentor and protégé are looking forward to Saturday's game.   "It's going to be fun,' said Zombeck.  "Both teams know it's a big game that could potentially have implications down the road.  "It's a different Keene State team and a different UMass-Boston team"