KEENE, N.H. 10/7/09 - Keene State broke open a close game with three unanswered goals in the second half en route to a 4-0 non-conference men's soccer victory over Salem State at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

After freshman Shawn Shand (Keene, N.H.) gave KSC a 1-0 halftime lead, freshman Joe Senecal (Manchaug, Mass.), junior Brian Holmes (Sharon, Mass.), and sophomore Jon Fothergill (Merrimack, N.H.) followed with late second half goals.

Senior Peter Kersker (Ipswich, Mass.) stopped four shots for his second shutout of the season.

"Salem came out in the first 10 minutes of the second half and were all over us and after that we just went to work," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher. "Every game is important now. If we can win on Saturday at home against UMass-Dartmouth, I like our chances to win the conference and secure home field advantage in the tournament."

Winners of five of their last six games, the Owls improve to 7-4. Salem State falls to 5-4.

Shand gave Keene State an early 1-0 lead on fine individual effort at the 8:56 mark. After winning a foot race with a Viking defender, he tracked it down the ball at the corner of net and tapped it in for his sixth goal of the season.

Looking for the equalizer, Salem State senior Andrew Angus (Boston, Mass.) rocketed a shot from just outside the box that clanged off the crossbar.

A give-and-go play resulted in a strong bid by Owl senior Scott Cluff (Kingston, Mass.) with 18 minutes to play in the half.  

Angus had a couple of chances to get the Vikings on the board early in the second half. His first shot dribbled just wide of the far post .His second attempt, a drive ticketed for the top corner, was stopped by Kersker who went air-borne to make the save.

Angus continued his assault on the Owls' net. But for the second time in the game hit the cross bar with a shot at the 20:45 mark.

Minutes later Shand set up Senecal in front, but Salem State freshman goalie Scott Hall (Waltham, Mass.) dove across the crease to stop his shot. 

Senecal wouldn't be denied.  Taking a crossing ball from junior Rob Musto (Guilford, Conn.), Senecal cut to the middle and beat Hall for his team leading eighth goal of the season at the 72:53 mark to put KSC up 2-0.

Holmes scored six minutes later when he put a rebound into the far corner for his first college goal.  Jon Fothergill completed the scoring with his first goal of the season. Sophomore Cam Blair (Keene, N.H.) assisted on the goal.

Hall finished the game with four saves for the Vikings, who play at Framingham State on Saturday.