KEENE, N.H. 4/17/10 – The Keene State College women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to six games and moved into sole possession of first place in the Little East Conference with a 15-13 victory over Western Conn. State University at rainy Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Keene State improves to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in the LEC.  Western Conn. (9-2, 2-1 LEC) saw its five game winning streak come to an end.

Trailing 7-6 at the half, KSC got its offense in gear in the second half, pulling ahead 12-9 on a goal by junior Jamie Albert (Southington, Conn.)

The Colonials answered with four straight goals, taking a 13-12 lead on back-to-back goals by senior Jessica Majeski (Norwalk, Conn.). 

Winning the following draw control, Albert raced down the field to net the equalizer.  

Later in the half, KSC sophomore goalie Alyssa Marinaccio (Narragansett, R.I.) made a key save off the stick of sophomore Brianna Mitterando (Mastic Beach, N.Y.).  The Owls gained possession and took a 14-13 lead on a goal by junior Jill Kirk (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) with 4:12 to play.

Majeski had a chance to tie the game for the Colonials with 3:11 to go, but her close-range shot, rolled just past the corner of the net.

Junior Lauren Sawyer (Westbrook, Maine) scored an insurance goal with 1:55 to play to make it 15-13.  KSC freshman Lauren Brown (Agawam, Mass.) won the draw control and the Owls maintained possession for the rest of the game.

Albert finished the game with five goals, giving her a team-leading 35 on the season. “We came into the game with a lot of confidence,” said Albert.  “We work well as a team offensively and were able to come up with the big goal when we needed it today.”  

Sawyer had three goals to go with three assists while sophomore Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.), Kirk, and Brown each chipped in with two goals.

Majeski led the Colonials' offense with four goals.  Senior Kara Kruczkiewicz (Brookfield, Conn.) sophomore Jessica Bouwman (New Milford, Conn.), freshman Nicole Perrone (Brookfield, Conn.), and Mitterando each found the back of the net twice.

Marinaccio finished the game with 11 saves for the Owls.

Freshman Meghan Maroney (Granby, Conn.) turned aside eight shots for Western.

Keene State hosts Colby-Sawyer on Monday.  Western Conn. returns home to face Eastern Conn. on Tuesday.