DANBURY, CT (Oct. 24)  -  The weather conditions might not have been ideal, but in the end, the Keene State College women's soccer accomplished its goal.  On a night when driving rain left several inches of standing water on the turf, Keene State   and Western Conn. State University battled to a 1-1 double-overtime draw enabling the Owls to capture their first Little East Conferecne regular season championship since 2004.

"The conditions left alot to be desired, but somehow we found a way to battle back and tie the game," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "The fact that we were able to clinch the regualr season Little East championship after playing in such a downpour  makes it even sweeter."

WestConn's season record now stands at 8-9-1, 3-2-1 in the Little East Conference.  Keene State's record is now 11-5-2, 5-0-1 in the LEC. 

With a light rain falling at game-time, both teams were conservative on offense with Keene State firing the game's first shot after nearly 10 minutes had elapsed from the clock, and WestConn taking its first shot well after the 20:00 mark.  After 45 minutes of play, the score remained 0-0.

As the second half  began, the intensity of play increased on both sides, but so did the intensity of the rain.  At the 62:16 mark, WestConn senior Domonique Pascascio (Hamden, CT) lofted a pass from 30 yards out on the right side of the field across the box.  Freshman Cecelia Dias (Shelton, CT) cut between two Keene State defenders and rifled a shot into the left corner of the goal for a 1-0 WestConn lead.  As the skies opened and field conditions deteriorated, WestConn's lead appeared safe with each pass only traveling a few feet rather than several yards.  With just over two minutes remaining in the game however, Keene State's Tara Nathan (Bethel, CT) took advantage of the WestConn defense's inability to clear the ball.  As the ball sat half-submerged in standing water, Nathan beat two WestConn defenders to the ball and lifted a shot just past the outstretched arms of Colonial goaltender Molly Miller (Middlebury, CT) to tie the score 1-1 and force overtime.

In the overtime periods the field conditions limited the ability of either team to attack successfully, with the Colonials managing to fire two shots and Keene State only one.  After 20 minutes of extra play, WestConn and Keene State were forced to settle for a 1-1 tie.

For the game, Keene State held a slight 15-13 advantage in shots, while WestConn's margin in corner kicks was 11-2.   Molly Miller finished with 8 saves in goal for WestConn, while Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, MA) made seven saves for Keene State.

The Owlsr eturn to action Wednesday with a road game at Bridgewater State.