Providence, RI 10/3/09 - Freshman forward Joe Senecal (Manchaug, MA) scored two goals to help lead the Keene State men¹s soccer team past Rhode Island College, 3-2, in Little East Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the RIC Soccer Field. 

The playing surface was tough on both teams, as the game was played in heavy rain and swamp-like conditions. Keene State raises its overall record to 6-4 and remains unbeaten (3-0) atop the league standings. RIC sees a four-game unbeaten streak come to an end, falling to 3-5-2 overall and 2-1 in the LEC.  

"It was a game of survival.  One side of the field was underwater," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "When you have those type of conditions, you have to fight even harder.  It was ugly, but we came out on top and the rest of the conference now has to chase us."

RIC dominated the action over the first 15 minutes of the game with junior midfielder Jose Ruiz (Providence, RI) putting the hosts on top in the ninth minute. Sophomore defender Jonathan Goncalves (Shelton, CT) threw the ball in, got it back and fired a shot that senior goalkeeper Peter Kersker (Ipswich, MA) punched straight out in front of the net. Ruiz, who was left unmarked, settled the ball down and fired it in for his second goal of the year.    

The Owls weathered the storm, both from the elements and the Anchormen, and netted the equalizer in the 22nd minute. After the RIC defense cleared the ball over the goal line to relieve pressure, freshman forward Ian Ferguson (Millwood, NY) took a corner kick, lofting the ball into the  box where junior midfielder Luke Sisco (Pine Plains, NY) banged home his first tally of the season.

Kersker was the story in the first half, making two acrobatic stops, first stoning junior forward Josh Sousa (Cumberland, RI) on a breakaway, and then denying sophomore striker Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, RI) with a horizontal diving save.    

The two squads went into halftime tied, 1-1, but the Owls quickly took the lead on a hotly disputed call just 4:54 into the second period. Both Goncalves and Senecal battled for a loose ball, just yards in front of RIC junior goalkeeper Helder Faustino (Warwick, RI). Senecal kicked the ball from between Goncalves¹ legs and was seemingly headed for the open net.

Goncalves made a sliding clear to take the ball off the goal line, but linesman Marco Torres ruled, from the sideline, that it crossed over and was goal. The Anchormen defense vehemently disputed the call, but it was ultimately ruled a goal.

Senecal gave Keene State an insurance marker in the 83rd minute, as sophomore forward Cam Blair (Keene, NH) sent him in down the sideline. He made a quick move and launched a shot from just inside the 18-yard box for his second marker of the game and his team-leading sixth of the year.

RIC threw out all the stops in an all-out comeback bid over the final seven minutes. Senior Ryan Kelley (Hope, RI) made a diving head shot that forced Kersker to make a diving stop. Ruiz was there once again for the open net goal, his second of the game and third on the season.

The hosts had two corner kicks in the final 1:17, but were unable to push across the tying goal.

Kersker (4-4) made four saves, while Faustino (0-1-1) made seven stops.

The two squads, which lead the LEC in fouls, combined for 32 infractions and six yellow cards. 

The Owls have won four of their last five games. Ruiz has scored the Anchormen¹s last three goals.

Rhode Island College defeated Keene State (1-0) for the first time in LEC play last year.  The Owl own a commanding 11-1-1 lead in the LEC series.  The two teams faced each other in the 2004 conference championship game with KSC winning 3-1.

In upcoming action, Keene State hosts Salem State on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  

(Courtesy RIC Sports Information)