KEENE, N.H. 9/1/09 - Freshman Shawn Shand (Keene, N.H.) and junior Phil Petrozzi (Gilford, N.H.) scored first half goals to lift the Keene State men's soccer team to an opening season 2-0 non-conference victory over in-state rival New England College at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday night.

Shand, one of the four freshmen in the Owls' starting line-up, netted the first goal of the game.  Breaking down the middle, Shand tapped the ball into the far corner of the net to give KSC a 1-0 lead at the 3:16 mark.

"I was able to break in behind the defense and just tucked the ball into the far corner," he said.  "It felt pretty good getting my first goal so early in the season."

            The Owls threatened to extend their lead at the 18:50 mark.  A close-range shot by junior midfielder Brian Holmes (Sharon, Mass.) was blocked by NEC defender Scott Ryan (Pelham, N.H.).  A follow-up header by freshman midfielder Bobby Saraf (Canton, Mass.) went wide of the net.  

            The header of the game came courtesy of Saraf who skied to get the ball to freshman forward Travis Fuglestad (Hopkinton, Mass.) for a scoring opportunity later in the half.

            Petrozzi gave the Owls a 2-0 lead with1:26 to play when he took a lead pass from freshman Kyle Shaban (Clairmont, N.H.) and rocketed a shot just under the cross bar. 

            "I stepped in front of a defensive player, took one touch and hit the ball," said Petrozzi, who returned to the team this season after not playing last year.  We've been working hard during preseason and it's been paying off. It's a better start than last year, so hopefully we can keep it going."

The Pilgrims best chance to get on the board came at the 37:34 mark in the second half.  KSC junior goalie Tom Conran (South Windsor, Conn.) was able to gather a shot by freshman midfielder Taylor Federici (South Dartmouth, Mass.) following a corner kick.  

             NEC freshman goalie TJ Doyle (Harwinton, Conn.) prevented the Owls from adding to their lead, stopping a header from freshman forward Joe Senecal (Manchaug, Mass.). He later went up in the air to pull down a free kick off the foot of Saraf. 

            Conran, who was making his first start in goal for the Owls, finished the game with two saves.  Doyle finished the game with six saves for the Pilgrims.

            The win by the Owls gave KSC Coach Ron Butcher his 541st career victory, putting him in sixth place on the list of most wins by a men's college coach.

            Keene State travels to Canton, N.Y. to take part in the St. Lawrence University tournament this weekend. New England College is at Elms College on Saturday.