KEENE, N.H. 10/21/09 - Despite a solid effort, the Keene State College women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 non-conference game to Williams College, the No.1 ranked team in Division III, at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

Playing back to back games against No. 15 Amherst and No 1 Williams, Keene State (11-5-1) has now lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Ephs, (12-0), who posted their ninth shutout of the season, remain undefeated.  The Owls lost 4-1 to Amherst on Monday. 

"I thought we were very competitive and gave a very good effort against a very talented team," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "Unfortunately, when you play a team of that caliber, you can't make mistakes. When you do, they punish you."

"You can learn so much by playing a team like Williams," said senior back Jackie Grant. "Our goal is to get to the NCAA tournament, so playing teams like this will only help us."

Looking to surprise the top-ranked Ephs, the Owls carried the ball into the Williams side of the field in the early minutes of play.  Junior Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) made a couple of nice runs down the left side, and senior Molly Brunelle (Walpole, N.H.), working in the middle, had a shot from just outside the box that was handled by WC junior goalie Julia Schreiber (Cockeysville, MD.).

Williams eventually went on the offensive. Junior Annelise Snyder (Ashby, Mass.) cut into the box and let go a shot that went just wide of the far post. Two minutes later at the 28:18 mark, senior Sarah Walmsley (Pelham Manor, N.Y.) broke in alone, but Keene State sophomore goalie Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) came out and knocked down her bid. Later in the half, junior Sara Wild (Portland, Ore.) had a shot that missed the left post.

The Ephs finally capitalized on an opportunity at the 28:11 mark when senior Brianna Wolfson (Brookville, N.Y.) took a lead pass from sophomore Sachi Siegelman (Piedmont, Ca.) and tapped the ball past Dempsey.

Freshman Samantha Vilboa (Norwood, Mass.) made it a 2-0 game four minutes later when she converted a crossing ball from freshman Bridget Gallagher (Cranford, N.J.). 

Junior Tyler Rainer (Marlborough, Mass.) extended the Ephs lead to 3-0 when she punched in a well placed crossing ball from Walmsely at the 65:01 mark of the second half.

Senior Kendra Spencer (Petoskey, Mich.) had one of the better scoring chances for the Owls in the second half, but her header from in front of the net went just wide of the net.

Dempsey finished the game with three saves.  Schreiber and Lauren Sinnenberg (Westfield, N.J.) each played a half in goal for Williams.  Schreiber recorded the only save.

The Ephs outshot the Owls 16-7 and had a slim 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Keene State continues a tough stretch of games with a key Little East game at Western Conn. on Saturday.