KEENE , N.H. 9/3/09 - Carly Benning (Brewster, Mass.) scored two goals and added an assist to lead Keene State to a 4-0 victory over Castleton State in non-conference field hockey action at Owl Athletic Complex on Thursday. 

Benning, a senior forward, has scored four goals in the Owls first two games.  "Coach (Amy Watson) is using a lot of combinations up front in practice," Benning said.  "Whomever she puts in there, we seem to click. The chemistry on the team is great."

After failing to execute on several early corner opportunities, the Owls capitalized on their sixth try for the first goal of the game.  Sophomore Jacki Benson (Hampstead, N.H.) directed a pass from Benning past Spartan sophomore goalie Bridget Dusha (Greenwich, N.Y.) to give KSC a 1-0 lead at the 17:58 mark.

The Owls scored three unanswered goals in the second half.  Sophomore Kerry Howe (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) made it a 2-0 game just over a minute into the second half when she blasted a shot from just inside the circle on a corner play. Senior Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H.) assisted on the goal.

Benning gave KSC a 3-0 lead on a breakaway give-and-go with sophomore Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.).  "I'm lucky I touched it because I started tripping over my shoe lace," said a smiling Benning.  "It was a perfect sequence."

Benning's second goal of the game came 1:48 later on a feed from junior Chelsea Blackmer (Boylston, Mass.).  

Keene State outshot Castleton 30-8 and had a 12-5 advantage in penalty corners.

Senior Vikki Stoessel (Berry, N.H.) made five saves to notch her first shutout of the season and ninth of her career.  She has yet to allow a goal in two games this season.

Dusha stopped 15 shots for the Spartans.

Keene State (2-0) hosts Springfield College in a key non-conference game on Tues., Sept. 8 (6 p.m.). The Pride defeated the Owls 1-0 in an opening round NCAA tournament game last year.

Castleton (0-2) is at the University of New England on Saturday (1 p.m.).