Framingham, Mass. 9/19/09- The Keen State field hockey team
suffered its first loss and gave up its first goal of the season in
a 3-0 upset loss to Framingham State College at Maple Street field
on Saturday. The 19th ranked Owls, who opened their season
with a record six straight shutouts, fall to 6-1 (1-1 LEC).
The Rams improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in LEC play.
It's the second time Framingham State has surprised the Owls.
The Rams handed KSC a 2-1 setback in 2007.
The Rams controlled the pace of play in the game and were on the
attack from the outset. Framingham State outshot the Owls
17-12 in the game and 9-3 in the first half alone.
The Rams applied early offensive pressure and were awarded a
penalty corner just under four minutes into the game. They
capitalized on the corner as senior forward Kali Barrett (North
Attleboro, Mass.) sent the ball through to freshman forward Erica
Fisher (Putnam Valley, NY), who was able to deflect the ball into
the net for her third goal of the season and a 1-0 Framingham lead
at the 4:08 mark.
Framingham State junior forward Kristen Sacco (Mendon, Mass.)
was able to extend the Rams lead to two goals with just over four
minutes remaining in the half. Sacco controlled a rebound in
the circle and fired a shot into the net giving the Rams a 2-0 lead
that they would take into the break.
In the second half, both teams had their chances to score early
but it was not until the 58:41 mark that the Rams were able to add
another insurance goal. Sophomore midfielder Kristin Gentili
(Franklin, Mass.) sent the ball into the circle and Barrett was
able to redirect it into the net giving the Rams a 3-0.
Keene State mounted a late offensive surge with just over six
minutes remaining in the game as they fired a flurry of shots at
the net. Junior goalie Allesha Kenyon (Westford, Mass.), who
finished the game with nine saves, made two diving saves and senior
midfielder Katie Wotherspoon (Stafford, Conn.), who finished the
game with two defensive stops, made a defensive save to preserve
the shutout as the Rams were able to keep the Owls at bay in the
final minutes for the win.
Keene State goalie Vikki Stoessel (Derry, N.H.)
made ten saves on the day and picked up the loss.
The Rams return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Gordon
College at 4 p.m., while the Owls travel to Trinity on Wednesday at
6 p.m.
