RINDGE, N.H. 3/31/10 – The Keene State College women's lacrosse team, led by sophomore midfielder Emily Persano's (Somers, Conn.) goal in the 1st overtime period, defeated Division II Franklin Pierce University 16-15, in overtime on Sodexho Field Wednesday night. The loss drops the Ravens to 2-4 on the season, while the victory improves the Owls to 3-3 on the season and 2-0 against Division II opponents after defeating Saint Michael's 8-7 in the season opener on March 6th.

KSC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, with sophomore midfielder Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) netting two of her career-high five goals in the first five minutes of play.

The Ravens fought back just before the half, as sophomore Christine McKay netted an unassisted marker with 21 seconds left to cut the KSC lead to 7-5.

The Owls stretched the lead to 10-6 less than two minutes into the second half, when Corace scored a man-up goal on a free-position shot.

Later in the second-half, KSC extended the lead to four again, at 13-9, on a goal from freshman midfielder Nicole Curry (Hampstead, N.H.) with 13:14 left in the second-half.

FPU battled back, scoring five straight goals, including two from junior attack Jordan Baillargeon (Westfield, Mass.), to take their first lead of the contest with 6:36 left to make it 14-13.

Corace and Curry each netted a goal to give the Owls the lead back with 5:03 left in regulation to make it 15-14 KSC.  

FPU's Ashley Moirano scored on a free-position shot with 1:47 left in the second-half to send the game into overtime at 15-15. Persano's third goal of the game came with 48 seconds in the first overtime period, gave the Owls the lead for good in the 16-15 victory.

The Owls were outshot 7-1 in the two overtime periods, but scored the lone goal to come away with the win.

Corace's five goals were also a game-high, while Curry and junior midfielder Jamie Albert (Southington, Conn.) each scored four goals in the victory. Albert also dished out five assists for nine points on the game.

FPU was paced by Moirano's and Baillargeon's three goals each.

Owl's freshman-netminder Christine Collins (Cheshire, Conn.) earned her first career victory in her first start, making six saves in the victory and scooping up nine ground balls. Raven's goalie Jillian Bolduc made nine saves in the losing effort.

Keene State returns to action Saturday, as they will have their LEC and home opener against Eastern Conn. State at 1 p.m. at Owl Athletic Complex. Franklin Pierce plays again Saturday, with a home NE-10 contest against Southern Conn. State at noon.