Box Score KEENE, N.H. 10/21/09 - The Keene State College
field hockey team, led by Senior Erin Dallas' (Marlow,
N.H.) two assists, defeated the Salem State Vikings 3-1 in
LEC play on Wednesday night at Owl Athletic Complex. On the second
assist, Dallas broke the school record with her 38th career assist,
breaking Kelly Smith's (1997-2000) mark.
"Breaking the assist record was a long time coming for Erin,"
said KSC Coach Amy Watson. "It's a lot harder for her to get
assists because she has been playing sweeper for us, but she has
worked hard for it and greatly deserves it."
The Vikings (6-7, 3-6 LEC) struck first, wasting little time, as
junior forward April Rossetti (Saugus, Mass.) took
a nice lead ball from Karen Atkinson (Reading,
Mass.) and tucked it into the right corner just past the
dive of KSC senior goalie Vikki Stoessel (Derry,
N.H.) just 46 seconds into the contest.
"Salem State is a scrappy team that always gives us a run for
our money," said Watson. "We have been working a lot on our offense
so I am glad we responded and created some good opportunities."
After the Salem goal the momentum shifted, as the Owls (12-4,
7-2 LEC) continued to pressure Viking goalie Jessica
McKenna (Rowley, Mass.). Keene State hit the board off a
penalty corner at the 10:33 mark when Dallas fed sophomore forward
Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, N.H.) for her
seventh goal of the year and a 1-1 score.
Just before the half, Dallas' second assist of the game and
38th of her career gave the Owls the lead when senior
forward Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass.) scored her
17th goal of the season.
In the second half, at the 45:07 mark sophomore forward
Jacki Benson (Hampstead, N.H.) took a rebound and
buried it into the top right corner of the net for the 3-1 Owls
victory.
Salem State's best scoring chance of the second-half with just
over 15 minutes left in the half when junior forward Karen
Atkinson (Reading, Mass.) had a wide-open shot that was
turned away by Stoessel.
The Owls outshot the Vikings 23-8 and had a firm advantage in
penalty corners at 13-2.
Stoessel finished the game with six saves, while McKenna set
aside 12 shots, including nine in the second half, in the losing
effort.
The Owls return to action Saturday, with a key LEC game at
Fitchburg State.
