KEENE, N.H. 11/7/09 - Junior forward Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) netted three first half goals to lead second seed Keene State College to a 5-0 shutout victory over seventh seed Lesley University at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

Looking for its first ECAC championship since 2005, Keene State (15-6-2) advances to the semifinals where it host third seed University of New England on Saturday (1 p.m.).  UNE defeated KSC in the semifinal round in a 2-1 overtime game last year.  

Making its first post-season appearance, the NECC champion Lesley University Lynx conclude their season with a 15-5-1 record.

The Owls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Bradford at the 3:58 mark.  Bradford was on the receiving end of a through ball by freshman Mary Lake (Portsmouth, R.I.) and beat Lynx senior goalie Hailee Lowe (Hamilton, Mass.).

Racing down the right side sophomore Leah Teter (Granville, Mass.) had an opportunity to extend the Owls lead, but Lowe came out and denied her bid. Bradford didn't miss on her breakaway later in the half.  The junior forward went around Lowe and put the ball into the open net for her second goal of the game at the 31:33 mark.

Bradford completed the natural hat trick minutes later when she headed home a free kick by sophomore Tara Nathan (Bethel, Conn.) for her 17th goal of the season.  "I got some great through balls and was able to put it together tonight," said Bradford.  "Once the first one goes in, you get a lot of confidence.  That's what we were lacking on Saturday (in the LEC finals).  If we got one, I think it would have opened the flood gates."

The Owls maintained their pressure in the second half. Sia Karamourtopoulos (Fremont, N.H.) broke in alone at the 33:23 mark, but Lowe came out to break down her angle and make the save. 

Freshman Joan Hamel (Weare, N.H.) scored a pair of second half goals, her fifth and sixth of the season to account for the final score.

KSC sophomore goalie Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) kept her shutout intact with a sparkling save with 14 minutes to play.  She made a diving save on a shot by senior Jodie Fralick (Woburn, Mass.) and moments later came out of her net to beat Fralick to a loose ball in the box.

A solid Keene State defense that played with a two new starters, held Lesley to just two second half shots on goal.  "I thought we did a great job," said sophomore back Bridget Hennessey, who earlier in the day was named to the All-LEC second team.  "We kept close tabs on their number one score and didn't allow them to get settled in our end of the field."

Dempsey finished with two saves to record her seventh shutout of the season.  Lowe stopped seven shots for the Lynx.

Keene State outshot LU 18-5 and had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.  It was the first meeting between the two teams on the soccer field.