KEENE, N.H. 10/26/10 – Junior Leigh Smith's (Sanborton, N.H.) short-handed overtime goal at the 13:45 mark of overtime lifted Keene State College to a dramatic 2-1 victory over New England College in non-conference field hockey action at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday night.  It was the first goal of the season for Smith, who was playing in her final home regular season game.

The Owls had to start the overtime playing six-on-five after a late-game yellow card.  Smith intercepted a Pilgrim pass just beyond midfield and raced up field, going around two defenders for the goal.  I just took the ball and went with it," said Smith.  I saw the hole in the net and put it in."

KSC Coach Amy Watson said the Owls planned to stay back until they got the additional player on the field.  "We loaded up on the defense to by two or three minutes so we could get a full team in," she said.  "My parting words to Leigh were to make sure you stay in the defensive end.  But she did a great job."

Keene State was fortunate to force the extra period.  With 1:30 to play in regulation, the Owls withstood a late flurry of shots by NEC.  Junior back Kerry Howe (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) saved the day with a key defensive save. "I saw one of their players sneaking back, so I went back to the goal line and stopped the ball."

KSC almost got the go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation, but NEC junior goalie Jess Kilcullen (North Salem, N.Y.) stopped consecutive close-range shots by sophomore forward Alexandra Billert (Center Conway, N.H.) before her third shot dribbled just wide of the post.

After a scoreless first half, senior forward Marisa Ayotte (Feeding Hills, Mass.) gave New England College a 1-0 lead with a drive from just inside the circle. It was her team-leading 22nd goal of the season.

Junior forward Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) answered 30 seconds later for KSC when she went around Kilcullen and tucked the ball into the net. 

Keene State outshot NEC 23-10 and had a 7-2 advantage in corner opportunities.

KSC senior goalie Meghan Ledoux (Standish, Maine) and Kilcullen both finished the game with eight saves.

Both teams hit the road for non-conference on Thursday. Keene State (13-5) is at Smith College and New England College (10-8) is at Southern Maine.