DANBURY, CT 11/5/10  – The Keene State College women's soccer team fell to the Colonials of Western Conn. State 1-0 in the Little East Conference Semifinals at the WAC on Friday afternoon. Junior goalie Meghan Dempsey (E. Weymouth, Mass.) made 11 saves for KSC, but WCSU netted the game's only goal for the victory.

With exactly 34 minutes remaining in regulation, senior midfielder Jennifer Duran (Uncasville, CT) tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal. The pass was set up for her eighth marker of the season by a brilliant crossing pass from Tina Dias (Shelton, CT) and one touched the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

With the win, the Colonials will host the Little East Conference Championship game against UMass Boston on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 12 noon. 

Keene State had several good chances after the Colonials went ahead, starting with junior midfielder Leah Teter's (Granville, Mass.) shot from the right side in the 59th minute.  Caitlin Avery (East Hampton, CT) was able to gather the ball and started the counter.

The Owls' Kristen Hickins (Westmoreland, NH) had a shot with 19 minutes remaining, but her attempt from 30 yards away was easily contained by Avery.  Erin Griffin (Londonderry, NH) nearly evened the score when her header off a corner kick sailed just over the cross bar.

WestConn, 14-4-1, raced out of the blocks in the first half and created several quality chances.  In the 10th minute, WestConn had a beautiful chance when Tracey Sales (Cumberland, RI) shot hit the left post.  The rebound came out to a waiting Jillian Duran (Uncasville, CT) whose touch deflected off Keene State keeper Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, MA).

Seven minutes later, Nicole Sieber (Newtown, CT) had a clean shot from the left side, but it sailed over the cross bar.

The Owls retained their composure and had a great chance in the 29th when Katie Bradford (Lebanon, NH) turned at the top of the box and delivered a shot just to the right of the goal.

With eight minutes left in the first half, Lauren Francisco (Ludlow, MA) had a point-blank chance but Dempsey blocked away the shot.  Seconds later, Lindsey LeConche's (Rocky Hill, CT) header from five yards away was denied by the junior net minder.

The second half started much the same it did for the game.  Jillian Duran was left alone 15 yards out, but her shot was turned away again by Dempsey.

Avery made six saves and registered her seventh shut-out of the season for the winners. Dempsey finished the day with 11 saves for the Owls, who end the regular season 14-6-2.

(Courtesy Western Conn. State Sports Information)