WESTFIELD, MASS. 9/30/09 - Sophomore back Nicole Gagnon (Andover, Mass.) scored on a penalty stroke with 9:56 remaining to lift Westfield State to a 1-0 upset victory over Keene State in a Little East Conference field hockey game played on Wednesday night.  

Westfield State improve to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference, while Keene State falls to 7-3 and 2-2.

 It was Westfield's second victory over Keene State in 24 games in a series that dates back to 1973.

 Westfield had two penalty strokes in the defensive struggle. Junior Alicia Gardner (Athol, Mass.) took a penalty stroke with 19 minutes remaining that was wide. Gagnon flicked her game-winning stroke waist high and inside the right post.

 Keene out-shot Westfield, 10-8. Sophomore Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) had five of the Owls 11 shots.  Keene had nine penalty corners, Westfield two. Goalies Amanda McCarthy and Vikki Stoessel (Derry, N.H.) made five saves.

Keene State hosts Western Conn. on Saturday at 2 p.m.