MANSFIELD, CONN.  3/28/09 - The Keene State women's lacrosse team came up one goal short in its Little East Conference opener, losing to Eastern Conn. State 14-13 in Mansfield, Conn. on Saturday. 

The Owls fall to 2-5 (0-1 LEC). The two-time LEC champion Eastern Conn., which won its 17th straight conference game, improves to 2-6 (1-0 LEC)

Jill Kirk (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.), Jamie Albert (Southington, Conn.), Emily Persano (Somers, Conn.), and Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) each netted two goals for the Owls.

Trailing 12-7, Keene State outscored Eastern 6-2 over the final 14 minutes, getting goals from Sarah Valacer (Townsend, Mass.) and Persano cut the gap to the final 14-13 margin with five minutes to play. The Owl defense held the Warriors scoreless over the final nine minutes.

Jen Gearing (Westfield, Mass.) finished the game with 10 saves for KSC.  Kristianna Ibsen stopped four shots for the Warriors.

Keene State hosts Franklin Pierce on Monday (4 p.m.).